Isolation, Characterization and Biotechnological Potentials of Thraustochytrids from Icelandic Waters

• Published in: Marine Drugs
• Main Authors: Stefánsson, Magnús Örn, Baldursson, Sigurður, Magnússon, Kristinn P., Eyþórsdóttir, Arnheiður, Einarsson, Hjörleifur
• Format: Text
• Language: English
• Published: MDPI 2019
• Subjects: Article; Eyjafjörður; Skagaströnd; Hveravík; Iceland
• Online Access: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6723786/; http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/31370264; https://doi.org/10.3390/md17080449

The following study reports on the first thraustochytrid isolates identified from Iceland. They were collected from three different locations off the northern coast of the country (Location A, Skagaströnd; Location B, Hveravík; and Location C, Eyjafjörður). Using 18S rDNA sequence analysis, isolates from Locations A and B were identified within the Thraustochytrium kinnei species while other isolates within the Sicyoidochytrium minutum species when compared to other known strains. Cells isolated from Locations A ([Formula: see text] g/L) and B ([Formula: see text] g/L) produced more biomass than the ones isolated from Location C ([Formula: see text] g/L). This study offers the first-time examination of the utility of byproducts from fisheries as a nitrogen source in media formulation for thraustochytrids. Experiments showed that isolates produced more biomass (per unit of substrate) when cultured on nitrogen of marine ([Formula: see text] g/L) as compared to of commercial origin ([Formula: see text] g/L). Glycerol ([Formula: see text] g/L) was a better carbon source than glucose ([Formula: see text] g/L) in growth studies. Fatty acid (FA) profiles showed that the isolates from Location C (S. minutum) had low ratios of monounsaturated ([Formula: see text]) and omega-6 ([Formula: see text]) FAs. However, the isolates also had high ratios of docosahexaenoic acid (DHA; [Formula: see text]) and total omega-3 FAs ([Formula: see text]), indicating that they could serve as a source of marine oils for human consumption and in aquaculture feeds. The T. kinnei isolates from Location A could be used in biodiesel production due to their high ratios of monounsaturated ([Formula: see text]) long chain ([Formula: see text]) FAs.