Gupta AWorthington MJHChalker JMPuri MShene C2026-01-062022-10-01Gupta A, Worthington MJH, Chalker JM, Puri M. (2022). Integration of the Exogenous Tuning of Thraustochytrid Fermentation and Sulfur Polymerization of Single-Cell Oil for Developing Plant-like Oils. Marine Drugs. 20. 10.https://mro.massey.ac.nz/handle/10179/73982In this study, we have demonstrated a bioprocessing approach encompassing the exogenous addition of low-molecular-weight compounds to tune the fatty acid (FA) profile in a novel thraustochytrid strain to produce desirable FAs. Maximum lipid recovery (38%, dry wt. biomass) was obtained at 1% Tween 80 and 0.25 mg/L of Vitamin B12. The transesterified lipid showed palmitic acid (C16, 35.7% TFA), stearic acid (C18, 2.1% TFA), and oleic acid (C18:1, 18.7% TFA) as the main components of total FAs, which are mainly present in plant oils. Strikingly, D-limonene addition in the fermentation medium repressed the production of polyunsaturated fatty acid (PUFAs). Sulfur-polymerization-guided lipid separation revealed the presence of saturated (SFAs, 53% TFA) and monounsaturated fatty acids (MUFAs, 46.6% TFA) in thraustochytrid oil that mimics plant-oil-like FA profiles. This work is industrially valuable and advocates the use of sulfur polymerization for preparation of plant-like oils through tuneable thraustochytrid lipids.CC BY 4.0(c) 2022 The Author/shttps://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/cell factorypolyunsaturated fatty acidsomega-3 fatty acidplant oilsfermentationsulfur polymerizationJournal article10.3390/md201006551660-3397journal-article655