Different fermentation strategies by Schizochytrium mangrovei strain pq6 to produce feedstock for exploitation of squalene and omega-3 fatty acids.

Schizochytrium mangrovei strain PQ6 was investigated for coproduction of docosahexaenoic acid (C22: 6ω-3, DHA) and squalene using a 30-L bioreactor with a working volume of 15 L under various batch and fed-batch fermentation process regimes. The fed-batch process was a more efficient cultivation strategy for achieving higher biomass production rich in DHA and squalene. The final biomass, total lipid, unsaponifiable lipid content, and DHA productivity were 105.

Squalene isolated from Schizochytrium mangrovei is a peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-α agonist that regulates lipid metabolism in HepG2 cells.

Objective: Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-alpha (PPARα) is a nuclear receptor that has critical roles in the treatment of atherosclerosis, hyperlipidemia and hepatic steatosis.

Results: Squalene is a novel nature PPARα agonist, identified from reporter gene assay and qPCR analysis. Cultured hepatocytes stimulated with squalene exhibited significantly decreased cellular triacylglycerols and cholesterol concentrations, while cellular uptake of fatty acids was increased.