Why it's important
Schizochytrium sp. are oleaginous microorganisms that are found ubiquitously in a variety of marine environments from coastal to deep-sea waters. The ability for these microorganisms to produce Omega-3 (or ω−3 fatty acids) fatty acids makes them a valuable resource in the production of fish oils. Omega-3 fatty acids are a group of polyunsaturated fatty acids that are essential for human health. Schizochytrium sp. can produce one type of Omega-3 fatty acid, docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), which is essential for brain development in infants and for the maintenance of normal brain function in adults.1
The main source of DHA is oily marine fish such as salmon and sardines. However, fish themselves cannot produce DHA and other fatty acids. Fish obtain these fatty acids by consuming organisms that can produce them, such as marine microalgae and plankton. The DHA sourced directly from fish can be highly variable in quality as it is dependent on season and is affected by pollution.2 In addition, due to overfishing and environmental change, the marine fish and phytoplankton populations are decreasing, causing the DHA supplement industry to become increasingly unstable.3
By shifting production to microalgae instead of marine fish, the oils sourced from these organisms are a more cost-effective, reliable, and sustainable alternative. Further, an added benefit of algal oils is that they lack any odors and cholesterol. In comparison, these factors are present in fish oils, which limit their widespread use.4 Another benefit of algal oils is that they can be more easily produced on a large scale. Microalgae like Schizochytrium sp. can produce high quantities of DHA from a wide range of carbon sources such as glycerol or potato starch. 3,5
How we can help
To enhance and further increase its DHA production, researchers have extensively studied and engineered this organism. However, understanding the genes involved in fatty acid biosynthesis can be difficult as current Schizochytrium assemblies are either incomplete or proprietary. With the publication of Schizochytrium sp. strain S31 (ATCC 20888) to the ATCC Genome Portal, researchers now have access to its complete genome, allowing for better characterization of DHA biosynthesis in Schizochytrium sp. and similarly related species. With a better understanding of DHA biosynthesis in these organisms, the DHA supplement industry can hopefully better produce algal oils.
Did you know?
There are over 4,100 microbial genomes on the ATCC Genome Portal and new ones are being added every month. If you can’t find the genome for the ATCC microbe you need, you can send us a request!
Learn more about the ATCC Genome Portal
Meet the author
Nikhita Puthuveetil, MS
Senior Bioinformatician, Sequencing and Bioinformatics Center, ATCC
Nikhita Puthuveetil is a bioinformatician at ATCC that performs routine bioinformatics analysis on internal sequencing submissions, primarily SARS-CoV-2 samples as well as plasmid and bacterial samples. She also works with her team to aid in the development of the ATCC Genome Portal. She first joined ATCC as an bioinformatics intern in 2019 where she worked to create an internal sequencing dashboard in R to track and manage sequencing at the Sequencing and Bioinformatics Center. She has an MS in Bioinformatics from Virginia Commonwealth University.
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MoreReferences
- Horrocks AL, Young KY. Health benefits of docosahexaenoic acid (DHA). Pharmacol Res 40(3): 211-225, 1999. PubMed: 10479465
- Xiao-Jun J, et al. Genome Sequence of Schizochytrium sp. CCTCC M209059, an Effective Producer of Docosahexaenoic Acid-Rich Lipids. Genome Announc, 3(4): e00819-15, 2015. PubMed: 26251485
- Jesionowska M, et al. EPA and DHA in microalgae: Health benefits, biosynthesis, and metabolic engineering advances. JAOCS 100(11); 831-842, 2023.
- Astiasarán I, Ansorena, D. "19 - Algal Oils" In R. A. Moreau & A. Kamal-Eldin (Eds.), Gourmet and Health-Promoting Specialty Oils (Vol. 3, Ser. AOCS PRESS MONOGRAPH SERIES ON OILSEEDS, pp. 491–513). essay, Elsevier Inc., 2009.
- Liang L, et al. Genome and Transcriptome Analyses Provide Insight Into the Omega-3 Long-Chain Polyunsaturated Fatty Acids Biosynthesis of Schizochytrium limacinum SR21. Front Microbiol 11: 687. 2020. PubMed: 32373097
