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Growth dynamics and lipid metabolism of Aurantiochytrium sp.: insights into its potential applications

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Abstract

Aurantiochytrium sp. is a marine microalga known for its bioactive compounds. This study assessed its presence in Iran and investigated its specific biochemical and molecular traits. Parameters such as biomass, protein content, hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) and malondialdehyde (MDA) levels, catalase enzyme (CAT) activity, and expression of malic enzyme (ME) and acetyl-CoA carboxylase (ACCase) genes were analyzed at different growth stages (24, 48, 72, and 96 h). Fatty acid composition, unsaturated fatty acids (UFA) and saturated fatty acids (SFA) contents, and the ratio of UFA to SFA were also examined. Molecular identification confirmed successful proliferation, with significant increases in biomass and protein content during growth. Elevated H2O2 and MDA levels indicated oxidative stress, whereas enhanced CAT activity suggested its potential role in scavenging reactive oxygen species and mitigating oxidative damage. The upregulation of ME and ACCase genes during growth indicated their involvement in lipid biosynthesis. This was further supported by the analysis of fatty acid composition, which revealed a higher proportion of UFA than SFA. These findings underscore the importance of specific growth stages for optimizing cultivation conditions and maximizing bioactive compound production in Aurantiochytrium sp. Overall, this study provides valuable insights into the growth dynamics and lipid metabolism of Aurantiochytrium sp., contributing to our understanding of its potential applications.

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Acknowledgements

The authors would like to express their gratitude for the financial support received from Kharazmi University, Iran National Science Foundation (INSF)—Grant Number 4003107, as well as the kind support provided by Persian Gulf Research Institute.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Plant Sciences, Faculty of Biological Sciences, Kharazmi University, P.O. Box: 15719-14911, Tehran, Iran

    Zahra Shafaghat, Farzaneh Najafi & Ramazan-Ali Khavari-Nejad

  2. Department of Biotechnology, Persian Gulf Research Institute, Persian Gulf University, Bushehr, 75169, Iran

    Mehdi Mohammadi

  3. Department of Plant Molecular Biotechnology, Institute of Agricultural Biotechnology, National Institute of Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology, Tehran, Iran

    Sattar Tahmasebi Enferadi

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  1. Zahra Shafaghat
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  2. Farzaneh Najafi
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  5. Sattar Tahmasebi Enferadi
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All authors contributed equally to the conceptualization, data analysis, and writing of the manuscript.

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Correspondence to Farzaneh Najafi.

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Shafaghat, Z., Najafi, F., Khavari-Nejad, RA. et al. Growth dynamics and lipid metabolism of Aurantiochytrium sp.: insights into its potential applications. Aquat Ecol (2024). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10452-024-10105-6

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