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Genetic Ablation of the Conidiogenesis Regulator Enhances Mycoprotein Production

Summary

Researchers created genetically modified versions of a fungus (Fusarium venenatum) used to make mycoprotein, a meat alternative. By removing a gene controlling spore formation, they increased fungal growth by 22%, which could significantly reduce production costs. The modified fungus also contained more amino acids and showed no safety concerns in lab tests, making it a promising advancement for sustainable food production.

Background

Mycoprotein from filamentous fungi like Fusarium venenatum offers a sustainable alternative to traditional meat products. While genetic manipulation shows promise for improving protein content and biomass yield, significant progress has been limited. Conidiogenesis regulators control spore formation in fungi, and their manipulation may redirect resources toward vegetative growth.

Objective

To investigate the function of conidiogenesis-related genes in Fusarium venenatum to identify genetic elements for increasing fungal biomass yields. The study hypothesized that knockout of the FvFLBD gene would enhance mycoprotein production by abolishing conidia formation.

Results

The FvFLBD knockout mutant showed complete abolishment of conidia formation with increased fungal biomass and elevated amino acid content. The double knockout of FvFLBD and FvUBQ14 achieved 22% greater biomass than wild-type. Proteomic analysis revealed enhanced carbon metabolism and amino acid biosynthesis pathways, with no adverse effects observed in C. elegans toxicity studies.

Conclusion

Genetic ablation of the conidiogenesis regulator FvFLBD enhances mycoprotein production through metabolic alterations. The synergistic effects of combined FvFLBD and FvUBQ14 knockout could substantially reduce production costs while maintaining nutritional safety, offering a commercially viable strategy for improving filamentous fungi-based food production.
  • Published in:Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry,
  • Study Type:Experimental Study,
  • Source: PMID: 40296655, DOI: 10.1021/acs.jafc.5c02722
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