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Adaptive laboratory evolution of Blakeslea trispora under acetoacetanilide stress leads to enhanced β-carotene biosynthesis

Summary

Scientists used a technique called adaptive laboratory evolution to make a fungus called Blakeslea trispora produce much more beta-carotene, a natural compound that converts to vitamin A in the body and has health benefits. By gradually exposing the fungus to increasing levels of a chemical stressor over 16 months, they helped it evolve to produce 45% more beta-carotene. The adapted fungus showed changes in its genes, physical structure, and fat composition that helped it thrive under stress while making more of this valuable compound.

Background

Blakeslea trispora is an important microbial producer of natural β-carotene, a valuable compound with significant nutritional and industrial applications. Chemical stressors can be used to enhance metabolite production in filamentous fungi through adaptive laboratory evolution approaches.

Objective

To increase β-carotene production in B. trispora by applying adaptive laboratory evolution under acetoacetanilide stress. The study aimed to determine if chemical stress could enhance metabolite production and stress tolerance in filamentous fungi.

Results

The adapted strain A²78 showed a 45% increase in β-carotene yield (54 ± 1.95 mg/L) compared to wild-type (21.6 ± 2.11 mg/L) without major biomass compromise. Key carotenogenic genes (hmgR, carRA, SR5AL) were upregulated 1.5-6 fold, morphological changes showed denser hyphae, and unsaturated fatty acid content increased significantly.

Conclusion

Chemical stress through adaptive laboratory evolution is effective for increasing metabolite production and stress tolerance in filamentous fungi. The results demonstrate that transcriptional upregulation of key biosynthetic genes and physiological adaptations contribute to enhanced β-carotene production and can guide industrial strain improvement.
  • Published in:Scientific Reports,
  • Study Type:Experimental Study,
  • Source: 10.1038/s41598-025-13082-4; PMID: 40770004
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