Microbial bioconversion of natural Philippines nut oils into a value-added hydroxy fatty acid, 7,10-dihydroxy-8(E)-octadecenoic acid

Authors: ELLAMAR, JOEL - Kyungpook National University; KIM, YOUNG-SOON - Korea University; KIM, IN HWAN - Korea University; Hou, Ching; KIM, HAK-RYUL - Kyungpook National University

Submitted to: Korean Journal of Food Science and Technology Annual Meeting
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 10/31/2016
Publication Date: 2/28/2017
Citation: Dasangrandhi,C., Ellamar, J.B., Kim, Y.S., Kim, I.H., Kim,H.R. 2017. Microbial bioconversion of natural Philippines nut oils into a value-added hydroxy fatty acid, 7,10-dihydroxy-8(E)-octadecenoic acid. Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology. https://doi.org/10.9721/KJFST.2017.49.1.28.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.9721/KJFST.2017.49.1.28

Interpretive Summary: Previously, we discovered a new microbial culture that produced 7,10-dihydroxy-fatty acid (DOD) from oleic acid and trihydroxy fatty acids from linoleic acid. Hydroxy fatty acids are useful as starting materials for the synthesis of specialty chemicals, special military nylon, plastisizers, coating materials, and possible as physiologically active agents. However, an economical process is still needed to produce these value-added hydroxyl fatty acid products. In an effort for economical production of DOD for industrial applications, this research was focused on production of DOD from the vegetable nut oils and report for the first time that pili nut oil could be used as an efficient substrate for the microbial production of DOD. Our findings can facilitate the research on hydroxyl fatty acids production from natural oils, such as nut oils, by bioprocess and benefit the U.S. consumers.

Technical Abstract: Biocatalytic modification of the natural resources can generate novel compounds with specific properties such as higher viscosity and reactivity. Production of hydroxy fatty acid (HFA), originally found in small amount in plants, is a good example of the biocatalytic modification of natural vegetable oils. HFAs possess high industrial potentials in a wide range of applications including resins, waxes, nylons, plastics, lubricants, cosmetics, and additives in coatings and paintings. Recently, 7,10-dihydroxy-8(E)-octadecenoic acid (DOD) was produced from oleic acid by Pseudomonas aeruginosa PR3. This study primarily focused on production of DOD by P. aeruginosa PR3 from three natural nut oils, pili nut oil (PNO), palm oil (PO) and virgin coconut oil (VCO) obtained from Philippines. DOD was produced from PNO and PO by strain PR3 while PNO was the most efficient substrate among the oils tested. Optimization study for DOD production from PNO revealed that DOD production was maximized at 48h incubation at pH 8.0. Among the carbon sources tested, fructose was efficiently used with a maximum DOD production of 130 mg/50 ml culture while urea was an optimal nitrogen source with a maximum DOD production of 165 mg/50 ml culture. Results from this study demonstrated that PNO could be used as an efficient substrate for the production of DOD by microbial bioconversion.