Thraustochytrium sp. and Aurantiochytrium sp.: Sustainable Alternatives for Squalene Production

This study investigated a sustainable alternative to squalene production utilizing <i>Thraustochytrium</i> sp. and <i>Aurantiochytrium</i> sp., thereby reducing dependence on critically endangered sharks exploited for this compound. By optimizing fed-batch cultivation, a technique prevalent in industrial biotechnology, we have enhanced squalene yields and have demonstrated, through sensitivity analysis, the significance of this shift in preserving species at risk of extinction. Optimization of culture conditions led to the highest biomass concentrations for <i>Thraustochytrium</i> sp. being achieved at lower C-N ratios (<5.0), while the optimal biomass production for <i>Aurantiochytrium</i> sp. occurred in culture media with a high C-N ratio of 54:50. Regarding squalene production, <i>Thraustochytrium</i> sp. produced 26.13 mg/L in the fed-batch system after 72 h, and <i>Aurantiochytrium</i> sp. produced 54.97 mg/L in a batch system with 30 g/L glucose and 0.22 g/L nitrogen after 96 h, showcasing their potential for industrial applications. Moreover, the sensitivity analysis revealed that, on an industrial scale, both strains could produce up to 59.50 t of squalene annually in large-scale facilities, presenting a valuable and sustainable alternative for the biotechnological industry and significantly reducing the reliance on non-renewable and endangered sources such as shark liver oil and preventing the annual capture of over 156,661 sharks.