Metabolic engineering – Page 3

Genome annotation of Aspergillus melleus strain CBS 546.65

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Scientists have created a detailed functional map of the Aspergillus melleus fungal genome, identifying over 12,000 genes and 102 biosynthetic gene clusters. This fungus is valuable because it produces compounds with insecticidal, nematicidal, and antibiotic properties, as well as proteases used in health supplements. The annotation provides a roadmap for understanding how this fungus makes these useful compounds and could help optimize its industrial applications.

Relative contribution of three transporters to D-xylose uptake in Aspergillus niger

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Researchers studied how three different protein transporters help the fungus Aspergillus niger absorb xylose, a type of sugar found in plant waste. They found that two of these transporters (XltA and XltD) were equally important, while the third (XltB) played a minor role. Interestingly, the fungus could still absorb xylose even without these three transporters, suggesting other backup transporters exist. This finding shows that predicting which transporters are important based on laboratory tests in yeast may not accurately reflect how they work in the original fungus.

Recent Advances in Biosynthesis Technology and Future Functional Foods

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Scientists are using engineered microorganisms and advanced fermentation techniques to create healthy food ingredients in a sustainable way. This editorial highlights seven studies showing how these biotechnology approaches improve functional foods, from creating probiotic strains and preserving fish to developing nutrient-enriched biscuits and discovering natural compounds with protective health effects. These innovations offer practical solutions for making foods healthier while reducing environmental impact compared to traditional methods.

Influence of Culture Conditions on Bioactive Compounds in Cordyceps militaris: A Comprehensive Review

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Cordyceps militaris is a medicinal fungus used traditionally for treating fatigue, boosting immunity, and managing various health conditions. This comprehensive review explains how different growing methods, nutrients, light, temperature, and substrate materials affect the production of beneficial compounds in the fungus. The findings show that mixing grains with insect materials and using specific light conditions can significantly increase production of cordycepin, the most promising compound for cancer and immune health. The review identifies that more standardized growing methods and better understanding of the fungus’s metabolism are needed to make large-scale production practical and affordable.

Harnessing pycnidia-forming fungi for eco-friendly nanoparticle production, applications, and limitations

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Scientists are using special fungi called pycnidial fungi to create tiny nanoparticles that could revolutionize medicine and environmental cleanup. These fungi naturally produce chemicals that can turn metal into useful nanoparticles without the toxic processes used in factories. The resulting nanoparticles show promise in fighting bacteria, cancer cells, and cleaning polluted water, offering a safer and more eco-friendly alternative to traditional methods.

Mushrooms Do Produce Flavonoids: Metabolite Profiling and Transcriptome Analysis of Flavonoid Synthesis in the Medicinal Mushroom Sanghuangporus baumii

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Researchers discovered that the medicinal mushroom Sanghuangporus baumii produces 81 different flavonoids, compounds known for their health benefits including antioxidant and anti-cancer properties. Using advanced genetic and chemical analysis, they identified the genes and processes responsible for this flavonoid production in mushrooms, which differs from how plants make these compounds. By increasing the activity of a key gene called PAL, they were able to boost flavonoid production in the mushroom. This discovery opens new possibilities for using mushrooms as biological factories to produce flavonoids for medical and nutritional applications.

Bioinformatics-aided identification, characterization and applications of mushroom linalool synthases

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Scientists discovered a special enzyme from mushrooms that efficiently produces linalool, a fragrance ingredient found in most perfumes and cosmetics. This fungal enzyme is much more efficient and selective than similar enzymes from plants or bacteria, making it ideal for mass-producing natural linalool through fermentation. The study used advanced computer analysis to identify the enzyme and revealed specific parts of the enzyme responsible for its excellent performance, which could help design even better enzymes in the future.

Bacterial Cellulose for Scalable and Sustainable Bio-Gels in the Circular Economy

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Bacterial cellulose is a naturally produced material that offers an eco-friendly alternative to plastics and synthetic fabrics. Scientists are developing efficient ways to produce it using waste products from food and agricultural industries through fermentation with special bacteria. This approach not only creates useful materials for textiles, packaging, and medical applications but also helps reduce environmental waste. The technology is advancing rapidly with genetic engineering techniques that can increase production yields and customize the material properties for different uses.

Genetic Ablation of the Conidiogenesis Regulator Enhances Mycoprotein Production

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Scientists created a genetically modified version of the Quorn fungus (Fusarium venenatum) by removing a gene that controls spore production. This modification caused the fungus to grow faster and produce more biomass while also containing higher levels of amino acids. When combined with another genetic modification, the fungus produced 22% more biomass than normal, which could significantly reduce costs for mycoprotein production used in meat alternative products.

Aokap9 gene knockout contributes to kojic acid synthesis in Aspergillus oryzae

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Researchers discovered that removing the Aokap9 gene in the fungus Aspergillus oryzae doubles the production of kojic acid, a valuable chemical used in skin-whitening cosmetics and food preservation. By combining the Aokap9 gene removal with modifications to other genes (kojR and AozfA), they achieved even higher production levels. This research provides a practical pathway for creating high-yield strains that can produce kojic acid more efficiently for commercial applications.

Research Keyword: Metabolic engineering