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Synthesis of three types of purpose‐designed mannosylerythritol lipid (MEL)‐D analogues with decanoyl groups, β‐GlcEL‐D, α‐GlcEL‐D, and α‐MEL‐D, was accomplished utilizing our boron‐mediated aglycon delivery (BMAD) methods. Their self‐assembling properties, recovery effects on damaged skin cells, and antibacterial activity were evaluated. It was revealed, for the first time, that α‐GlcEL‐D and α‐MEL‐D only generated giant vesicles, indicating that slight differences in the steric configuration of an erythritol moiety and fatty acyl chains affect the ability to form vesicles. Analogue α‐MEL‐D exhibited significant recovery effects on damaged skin cells. Furthermore, α‐MEL‐D exhibited antibacterial activity as high as that for MEL‐D, indicating that α‐MEL‐D is a promising artificial sugar‐based material candidate for enhancing the barrier function of the stratum corneum, superior to a known cosmetic ingredient, and possesses antibacterial activity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The physical structure of cationic-polyelectrolyte/fructose complexes crosslinked by the Maillard reaction were evaluated by X-ray scattering. Wide- and small-angle X-ray scattering (WAXS and SAXS, respectively) analyses indicated amorphous and highly homogeneous structures. Notably, the ε-poly- l -lysine(ε-PL)/fructose complex displayed the highest homogeneity in the quantitative analysis using the Debye-Bueche function. This high homogeneity contributed to the good mechanical toughness of the complex. Additionally, the intrinsic homogeneity of the ε-PL/fructose complex was evaluated by SAXS under uniaxial stretching. The uniform SAXS pattern suggested a substantially homogeneous crosslinked structure, like that of materials specifically designed to have high homogeneity. This finding could explain the good mechanical properties of the ε-PL/fructose complex, and the potential of the Maillard reaction as a highly homogeneous, safe, and environmentally friendly crosslinking reaction. [Display omitted] • The physical structure of the cationic-polyelectrolyte/fructose complex was analyzed. • Crosslinking by the Maillard reaction strongly inhibited ε-PL crystallization. • SAXS analyses suggested a relationship between toughness and homogeneity of complexes. • The ε-PL/fructose complex displayed excellent homogeneity in SAXS under uniaxial stretching. • The Maillard reaction can be readily used to prepare homogeneously crosslinked materials. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To promote the effective use of raw glycerol, 13 yeast strains with the ability to produce mannitol from glycerol were isolated from environmental samples. Of the 13 strains, strain 7-12G was selected as an efficient mannitol producer from 25% (w/v) glycerol and was identified as Candida azyma by morphological, physicochemical, and phylogenetic analyses. When the ability to produce mannitol from raw glycerol in flask culture was compared among strains 7-12G, NBRC10406 (the type strain of C. azyma), and related strains, strain NBRC10406 exhibited the highest production level (31.8 g/l). Culture in jar fermentors was next investigated, and mannitol production reached 50.8 g/l over 7 days, corresponding to 0.30 g/g-glycerol. To the best of our knowledge, this is the highest reported level of mannitol produced by a microbe from glycerol under batch-type culture conditions. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

To promote the effective use of raw glycerol (a by-product of biodiesel production), 110 yeast strains that produce d-arabitol from glycerol were isolated from environmental samples. Among them, strain 17-2A was an effective d-arabitol producer in the presence of 250 g/l glycerol and was identified as Candida quercitrusa based on morphological, physicochemical, and phylogenetic analyses. C. quercitrusa type strain NBRC1022 produced the greatest quantity of d-arabitol (41.7 g/l) when the ability to produce d-arabitol from raw glycerol was compared among C. quercitrusa 17-2A and its phylogenetically related strains in flask culture. Under optimized culture conditions, strain NBRC1022 produced d-arabitol at a concentration of 58.2 g/l after a 7-day cultivation in 250 g/l glycerol, 6 g/l yeast extract, and 2 g/l CaCl. The culture conditions were further investigated with raw glycerol using a jar fermenter; the concentration of d-arabitol reached 67.1 g/l after 7 days and 85.1 g/l after 10 days, respectively, which corresponded to 0.40 g/g of glycerol. To our knowledge, the present d-arabitol yield from glycerol is higher than reported previously using microbial production. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Mannosylerythritol lipids (MELs) are glycolipid biosurfactants produced by the yeast strains of the genus Pseudozyma. These compounds show not only excellent surface-active properties, but also versatile biochemical actions. During a survey of new MEL producers, we found that a basidiomycetous yeast, Pseudozyma crassa, extracellularly produces three glycolipids. When glucose and oleic acid were used as the carbon source, the total amount of glycolipids reached approximately 4.6g/L in the culture medium. The structures of these glycolipids were similar to those of well-known MEL-A, -B, and -C, respectively. Very interestingly, in all the present glycolipids, the configuration of the erythritol moiety was entirely opposite to that of conventional MELs. The present glycolipids were identified to have the carbohydrate structure of 4-O-β-d-mannopyranosyl-(2R,3S)-erythritol, stereochemically different from 4-O-β-d-mannopyranosyl-(2S,3R)-erythritol of conventional MELs. Furthermore, these new glycolipids possessed both short-chain acids (C2 or C4) and long-chain acids (C14, C16, or C18) on the mannose moiety. The major component of the present glycolipids clearly showed different interfacial and biological properties, compared to conventional MELs comprising two medium-chain acids on the mannose moiety. Accordingly, the novel MEL diastereomers produced by P. crassa should provide us with different glycolipid functions, and facilitate a broad range of applications of MELs. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

A series of culture media for haloarchaea were evaluated to optimize the production of ultrahigh-molecular-weight (UHMW) poly(3-hydroxybutyrate-co-3-hydroxyvalerate) (PHBV) by Haloferax mediterranei. Cells of H. mediterranei grew (> 1 g/L of dry cell weight) and accumulated PHBV upon flask cultivation in 10 medium types with neutral pH and NaCl concentration > 100 g/L. Molecular weight and compositional analysis revealed that the number-average molecular weight (Mn) of PHBV produced with six selected types of media ranged from 0.8 to 3.5 × 106 g/mol and the 3-hydroxyvalerate (3HV) composition ranged from 8 to 36 mol%. Cultivation in two NBRC media, 1214 and 1380, resulted in the production of PHBV with an Mn of more than 3.0 × 106 g/mol and a weight-average molecular weight of more than 5.0 × 106 g/mol, indicating the production of UHMW-PHBV. These culture media contained small amount of complex nutrients like yeast extract and casamino acids, suggesting that H. mediterranei likely produced UHMW-PHBV on poor nutrient condition. Haloferax mediterranei grown in NBRC medium 1380 produced PHBV with the highest 3HV composition. A solvent-cast film of UHMW-PHBV with 26.4 mol% 3HV produced from 1-L flask cultivation with NBRC medium 1380 was found to be flexible and semi-transparent. Thermal analysis of the UHMW-PHBV cast film revealed melting and glass-transition temperatures of 90.5 °C and − 2.7 °C, respectively. Key points: • Haloarchaeal culture media were evaluated to produce UHMW-PHBV by H. mediterranei. • UHMW-PHBV with varied molecular weight was produced dependent on culture media. • Semi-transparent film could be made from UHMW-PHBV with 26.4 mol% 3HV. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The yeast Pseudozyma antarctica (currently designated Moesziomyces antarcticus) secretes a xylose-induced biodegradable plastic-degrading enzyme (PaE). To suppress degradation of PaE during production and storage, we targeted the inhibition of proteolytic enzyme activity in P. antarctica. Proteases A and B act as upper regulators in the proteolytic network of the model yeast, Saccharomyces cerevisiae. We searched for orthologous genes encoding proteases A and B in the genome of P. antarctica GB-4(0) based on the predicted amino acid sequences. We found two gene candidates, PaPRO1 and PaPRO2, with conserved catalytically important domains and signal peptides indicative of vacuolar protease function. We then prepared gene-deletion mutants of strain GB-4(0), ΔPaPRO1 and ΔPaPRO2, and evaluated PaE stability in culture by immunoblotting analysis. Both mutants exhibited sufficient production of PaE without degradation fragments, while the parent strain exhibited the degradation fragments. Therefore, we concluded that the protease A and B orthologous genes are related to the degradation of PaE. To produce a large quantity of PaE, we made a PaPRO2 deletion mutant of a PaE-overexpression strain named XG8 by introducing a PaE high-production cassette into the strain GB-4(0). The ΔPaPRO2 mutant of XG8 was able to produce PaE without the degradation fragments during large-scale cultivation in a 3-L jar fermenter for 3 days at 30°C. After terminating the agitation, the PaE activity in the XG8 ΔPaPRO2 mutant culture was maintained for the subsequent 48 h incubation at 25°C regardless of remaining cells, while activity in the XG8 control was reduced to 55.1%. The gene-deleted mutants will be useful for the development of industrial processes of PaE production and storage. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

meso -Diaminopimelate dehydrogenase (meso -DAPDH) catalyzes the reversible NADP+-dependent oxidative deamination of meso -2,6-diaminopimelate (meso -DAP) to produce l -2-amino-6-oxopimelate. meso -DAPDH is divided into two major clusters, types I and II, based on substrate specificity and structural characteristic. Here, we describe a novel type II meso -DAPDH from Thermosyntropha lipolytica (TlDAPDH). The gene encoding a putative TlDAPDH was expressed in Escherichia coli cells, and then the enzyme was purified 7.3-fold to homogeneity from the crude cell extract. The molecule of TlDAPDH seemed to form a hexamer, which is the typical structural characteristic of type II meso -DAPDHs. The purified enzyme exhibited oxidative deamination activity toward meso -DAP with both NADP+ and NAD+ as coenzymes. TlDAPDH exhibited reductive amination activity of corresponding 2-oxo acid to produce d -amino acid. In particular, the productivities for d -aspartate and d -glutamate have not been reported in the type II enzymes. The optimum pH and temperature for oxidative deamination of meso -DAP were 10.5 and 55°C, respectively. TlDAPDH retained more than 80% of its activity after incubation for 30 min at temperatures between 50°C and 65°C and in the pH range of 4.5–9.5. Moreover, the coenzyme and substrate recognition mechanisms of TlDAPDH were elucidated based on a multiple sequence alignment and the homology model. The results of these analyses suggested that the molecular mechanisms for coenzyme and substrate recognition of TlDAPDH were similar to those of meso -DAPDH from S. thermophilum , which is the representative type II enzyme. Based on the kinetic characteristics and structural comparison, TlDAPDH was considered to be a novel type II meso -DAPDH. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Mannosylerythritol lipids (MELs) are glycolipid biosurfactants produced by various yeasts. Mmf1, a putative transporter of MELs, is conserved in the MEL biosynthesis gene clusters of diverse MEL producers, including the genera Ustilago, Pseudozyma, Moesziomyces, and Sporisorium. To clarify the function of Mmf1, we generated the gene-deleted strain of P. tsukubaensis ΔPtMMF1 and evaluated its MEL production. Using thin-layer chromatography analyses, we detected most MELs produced by ΔPtMMF1 in the culture supernatant. The spot size of diacylated MEL-B (the only product of the parental strain) was significantly smaller for strain ΔPtMMF1 than for the parental strain, and a mono-acylated MEL-D spot was detected. In addition, an unknown glycolipid was detected in the sample extracted from strain ΔPtMMF1. Liquid chromatography–mass spectrometry and nuclear magnetic resonance analyses revealed that the unknown glycolipid was a novel MEL homologue, mono-acylated MEL-B. Key points: • P. tsukubaensis is able to secrete MELs without PtMMF1p. • Strain ΔPtMMF1 mainly produced mono-acylated MELs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Xylose, the main component of xylan, is the second most abundant sugar in nature after glucose. Consequently, xylose represents an attractive feedstock for the production of value-added compounds such as biosurfactants (BSs), which are produced by various bacteria and yeasts. In this study, we screened and isolated yeast strains that synthesize BSs using xylose as the sole carbon source. We applied matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF MS) to screen for BS-producing yeasts and isolated eight strains as the liamocin producers. Two of the eight strains, AS37 and SK25, were identified as Aureobasidium melanogenum , which is known as black yeasts, by based on 26S ribosomal RNA gene sequences. Both strains produced a wide variety of liamocin structures from not only xylose but also glucose and sucrose. According to the MALDI-TOF MS analysis, signals corresponding to sodium ion adducts of di-, tri-, tetra-, penta- and hexa-acylated C6-liamocins and di-, tri- and tetra-acylated C5-liamocins were detected. In addition, their mono-acetylated form was also detected. The dominant sugar component of liamocins produced by strains AS37 and SK25 is mannitol as estimated by HPLC analysis. This is the first report to describe the screening of liamocins-producing yeasts using xylose as the sole carbon source. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Pseudozyma antarctica is a nonpathogenic phyllosphere yeast known as an excellent producer of industrial lipases and mannosylerythritol lipids (MELs), which are multi-functional glycolipids. The fungus produces a much higher amount of MELs from vegetable oil than from glucose, whereas its close relative, Ustilago maydis UM521, produces a lower amount of MELs from vegetable oil. In the present study, we used previous gene expression profiles measured by DNA microarray analyses after culturing on two carbon sources, glucose and soybean oil, to further characterize MEL biosynthesis in P. antarctica T-34. A total of 264 genes were found with induction ratios and expression intensities under oily conditions with similar tendencies to those of MEL cluster genes. Of these, 93 were categorized as metabolic genes using the Eukaryotic Orthologous Groups classification. Within this metabolic category, amino acids, carbohydrates, inorganic ions, and secondary metabolite metabolism, as well as energy production and conversion, but not lipid metabolism, were enriched. Furthermore, genes involved in central metabolic pathways, such as glycolysis and the tricarboxylic acid cycle, were highly induced in P. antarctica T-34 under oily conditions, whereas they were suppressed in U. maydis UM521. These results suggest that the central metabolism of P. antarctica T-34 under oily conditions contributes to its excellent oil utilization and extracellular glycolipid production. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The basidiomycetous yeast Pseudozyma antarctica GB-4(0) esterase (PaE) is a promising candidate for accelerating degradation of used biodegradable plastics (BPs). To increase safety and reduce costs associated with the use of PaE, we constructed a self-cloning strain with high-PaE productivity. A Lys12 gene (PaLYS12)-deleted lysine auxotroph strain GB4-(0)-L1 was obtained from GB-4(0) by ultraviolet mutagenesis and nystatin enrichment. Subsequently, the PaE gene (PaCLE1) expression cassette consisting of GB-4(0)-derived PaCLE1, under the control of a xylose-inducible xylanase promoter with PaLYS12, was randomly introduced into the GB4-(0)-L1 genome. A PaE high-producing strain, PGB474, was selected from among the transformants by high throughput double-screening based on its ability to degrade emulsified polybutylene succinate-co-adipate. Quantitative PCR revealed that four copies of the PaE gene expression cassette were introduced into the PGB474 genome. PGB474 produced 2.0 g/L of PaE by xylose-fed-batch cultivation using a 3-L jar fermentor for 72 h. Pseudozyma antarctica self-cloning strain that produces a high volume of biodegradable plastic degrading enzyme was constructed and selected by high throughput screening. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Mannosylerythritol lipids (MELs) are biosurfactants produced from feedstocks by basidiomycetous yeasts. MELs exhibit different properties depending on their structures, such as the degree of acetylation or acylation and the chirality of the mannosylerythritol moiety. Pseudozyma tsukubaensis produces a diastereomer type of MEL-B (mono-acetylated MEL); therefore, deletion of an acetyltransferase could yield a diastereomer type of MEL-D (deacetylated MEL), which has only been produced in in vitro reactions of lipase using MEL-B as a substrate. Here, we deleted the gene PtMAT1 in P. tsukubaensis 1E5 encoding an acetyltransferase related to MEL biosynthesis via targeted gene deletion and generated a producer of the diastereomer type of MEL-D. The uracil auxotrophic mutant of P. tsukubaensis 1E5 (PtURA5 -mutant) was used as a host strain for gene deletion. The gene PtMAT1 was replaced with a PtURA5 cassette by homologous recombination using uracil auxotrophy as a selectable marker. According to thin-layer chromatography and nuclear magnetic resonation spectroscopy, we identified the strain Δ PtMAT1 as a producer of the diastereomer type of MEL-D instead of MEL-B. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A lignosulfonate-derived material was prepared by complexing polyethylene glycol (PEG)-grafted lignosulfonate (LS- g -PEG) with a cationic polyelectrolyte (PDADMACl). The mechanical property of this LS- g -PEG/PDADMACl complex was similar to those of the conventional unmodified-LS/PDADMACl complex, however, the addition of poly(acrylic acid) (PAAc) improved the toughness of the LS- g -PEG complex more than seven-fold at the optimal composition (from 0.7 to 5.2 MJ/m3). This increase in toughness upon PAAc addition was not observed in the conventional unmodified-LS/PDADMACl complex and it was attributed to the synergistic effect of plasticization by the amorphous PEG component, as well as the formation of a rigid polyelectrolyte complex. In addition to better strain and toughness than other reported lignosulfonate-derived materials, the LS- g -PEG/PDADMACl/PAAc complex displayed a humidity-induced self-healing property; complete healing of mechanical properties was observed under optimal conditions. These good toughness and excellent self-healing properties may broaden the applications of lignin-derived materials as highly durable and damage-resistant materials. [Display omitted] • Polyethylene-glycol-grafted-lignosulfonate/cationic-polyelectrolyte complexes were prepared. • Addition of poly(acrylic acid) to the complex improved its tensile strain and toughness. • The melting of the polyethylene-glycol crystal resulted in the improved strain and toughness. • The optimized complex archived complete self-healing by control of ambient humidity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Mannosylerythritol lipids (MELs) are a type of glycolipid biosurfactant produced by basidiomycetous yeasts, most notably those belonging to the genera Pseudozyma and Ustilago. Mannosylerythritol lipids are environmentally friendly and possess many unique functions, such as gene delivery, bio-activation, and human skin repair, and thus have potential applications in cosmetic, pharmaceutical, agriculture, food, and environmental industries. However, MELs will require overcoming same issues related to the commercialization, e.g., expansion of the structure and function variety and cost reduction. In the past decade, various studies have attempted to tailor production of targeted MELs in order to expand the utility of these biosurfactants. Moreover, the rapid development of genomic sequencing techniques will enhance our ability to modify MEL producers. In this review, we focus on current research into the tailored production of MELs, including conventional and advanced approaches. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Basidiomycetous yeasts in the genus Pseudozyma are known to produce extracellular glycolipids called mannosylerythritol lipids (MELs). Pseudozyma tsukubaensis produces a large amount of MEL-B using olive oil as the sole carbon source (> 70 g/L production). The MEL-B produced by P. tsukubaensis is a diastereomer type of MEL-B, which consists of 4- O-β- d-mannopyranosyl-(2 R,3 S)-erythritol as a sugar moiety, in contrast to the conventional type of MELs produced by P. antarctica, which contain 4- O-β- d mannopyranosyl-(2 S,3 R)-erythritol. In this study, we attempted to increase the production of the diastereomer type of MEL-B in P. tsukubaensis 1E5 by introducing the genes encoding two lipases, PaLIPAp ( PaLIPA) and PaLIPBp ( PaLIPB) from P. antarctica T-34. Strain 1E5 expressing PaLIPA exhibited higher lipase activity than the strain possessing an empty vector, which was used as a negative control. Strains of 1E5 expressing PaLIPA or PaLIPB showed 1.9- and 1.6-fold higher MEL-B production than the negative control strain, respectively, and oil consumption was also accelerated by the introduction of these lipase genes. MEL-B production was estimated using time course analysis in the recombinant strains. Strain 1E5 expressing PaLIPA produced 37.0 ± 1.2 g/L of MEL-B within 4 days of cultivation, whereas the strain expressing an empty vector produced 22.1 ± 7.5 g/L in this time. Overexpression of PaLIPA increased MEL-B production by P. tsukubaensis strain 1E5 from olive oil as carbon source by more than 1.7-fold. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A lignosulfonate (LS)-derived thermoplastic was synthesized using a simple and scalable grafting reaction with a polyethylene glycol derivative (phenylPEG). The grafted polymer, polyethylene glycol-grafted LS (LS- g -PEG), had improved thermo-moldability and mechanical properties in a bending test, compared with pure LS and an LS/phenylPEG (LS/PEG) blend. Small-angle X-ray scattering analyses showed that LS- g -PEG had a nano-scale (20–30 nm) homogeneous lamellar structure, whereas the LS/PEG blend was separated into an LS-rich phase and a crystalline phenylPEG lamellar phase. The nano-scale structure of LS- g -PEG provides macroscopic homogeneity, as confirmed by fracture surface observation and polarized microscopy analysis; its high homogeneity resulted in enhanced thermo-moldability and mechanical properties, compared with an LS/PEG blend. • A method was established for easy grafting of lignosulfonate with polyethylene glycol. • The grafted polymer showed improved thermoplasticity and mechanical properties. • Improved properties of the grafted polymer are related to its unique nano-scale lamella. • The scalability of the grafting method was confirmed by ton-scaled synthesis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Mannosylerythritol lipids (MELs) produced by yeasts are one of the most promising glycolipid biosurfactants. There are two MEL diastereomers, in which the configurations of the erythritol moieties are opposite. The 4-O-β-d-mannopyranosyl-(2S,3R)-erythritol (S-form) or 4-O-β-d-mannopyranosyl-(2R,3S)-erythritol (R-form) is the hydrophilic domain. In this study, we prepared S- and R-form MEL homologs with similar fatty acyl groups, and compared their interfacial properties. Among the four diastereomers (S-MEL-B and -D/R-MEL-B and -D), R-form MELs showed a higher critical aggregation concentration and hydrophilicity compared to the corresponding S-form. R-form MELs also efficiently formed relatively large vesicles compared to S-form. Moreover, we estimated the binary phase diagram of the MEL–water system and compared the aqueous phase behavior among the four diastereomers. The present MELs self-assembled into a lamellar (Lα) structure at all concentration ranges. Meanwhile, the one-phase Lα region of R-form MELs was wider than those of S-form MELs. R-form MELs may maintain more water between the polar layers in accordance with an extension of the interlayer spacing. These results suggest that the differences in MEL carbohydrate configurations significantly affect interfacial properties, self-assembly, and hydrate ability. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Mannosylerythritol lipids (MELs) produced by yeasts are one of the most promising glycolipid biosurfactants. In this study, we succeeded in the preparation of a novel MEL homolog having no acetyl groups, namely MEL-D. MEL-D was synthesized by lipase-catalyzed hydrolysis of acetyl groups from a known MEL, and identified as 4-O-[2′,3′-di-O-alka(e)noyl-β-d-mannopyranosyl]-(2R,3S)-erythritol. The obtained MEL-D showed a higher critical aggregation concentration (CAC=1.2×10−5 M) and hydrophilicity compared to known MELs, retaining an excellent surface tension lowering activity (the surface tension at the CAC was 24.5mN/m). In addition, we estimated the binary phase diagram of the MEL-D–water system based on a combination of visual inspection, polarized optical microscopy, and SAXS measurement. From these results, MEL-D was found to self-assemble into a lamellar (Lα) structure over all ranges of concentration. Meanwhile, the one-phase Lα region of MEL-D was extended wider than those of known MELs. MEL-D might keep more water between the polar layers in accordance with the extension of the interlayer spacing (d). These results suggest that the newly obtained MEL-D would facilitate the application of MELs in various fields as a lamellar-forming glycolipid with higher hydrate ability. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Mannosylerythritol lipids (MELs) are glycolipid biosurfactants (BS) abundantly produced from renewable resources by yeast strains of the genus Pseudozyma. In this study, the ternary phase behaviors of two types of MELs, i.e. MEL-A and MEL-B, mixed with water and oil were investigated at 25°C based on polarized optical microscopy and small-angle X-ray scattering (SAXS). When n-decane was used as an oil phase, diacetylated MEL-A formed single-phase water-in-oil (W/O) microemulsion in a remarkably large region. MEL-A, with a negative spontaneous curvature, also formed sponge (L3), reverse bicontinuous cubic (V2), and lamellar (Lα) phases. Meanwhile, monoacetylated MEL-B, with the opposite configuration of the erythritol moiety, gave single-phase bicontinuous microemulsion and showed a triangular phase diagram dominated by the Lα phase, suggesting that MEL-B has an almost zero spontaneous curvature. Moreover, we succeeded in preparation of oil-in-liquid crystal (O/LC) emulsion in the biphasic Lα +O region of the MEL-B/water/n-decane system. The obtained gel-like emulsion was stable for at least 1 month. These results clearly demonstrated that the difference in the number of acetyl group on the headgroup and/or the chirality of the erythritol moiety drastically changed the phase behavior of MELs. Accordingly, these MELs would be quite distinctive from conventional BS hitherto reported, and would have great potential for the preparation of microemulsion and LC-based emulsion. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Mannosylerythritol lipids (MELs) are one of the most promising glycolipid biosurfactants produced by yeast strains of the genus Pseudozyma. In this study, the aqueous-phase behavior of a new monoacetyl MEL derivative, 1-O-β-(2′,3′-di-O-alka(e)noyl-6′-O-acetyl-d-mannopyranosyl)-d-erythritol (MEL-B), was investigated using polarized optical microscopy, small-angle X-ray scattering (SAXS), confocal laser scanning microscopy (CLSM), and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). The present MEL-B was found to self-assemble into a lamellar (Lα) phase over remarkably wide concentration and temperature ranges. According to SAXS measurement, the interlayer spacing (d) was estimated to be almost constant (about 4.7nm) at the low MEL-B concentration (≤60wt.%) region where the Lα phase is in equilibrium with the excess water phase (Lα +W). On the other hand, at high MEL-B concentration (>60wt.%) region, the d-spacing gradually decreased to 3.1nm with an increase in the MEL-B concentration. The thermal stability of the liquid crystalline phase was investigated by DSC measurement. The obtained Lα phase was found to be stable up to 95°C below a MEL-B concentration of 85wt.%; then, the melting temperature of the liquid crystalline phase dramatically decreased with an increase in MEL-B concentration (above 85wt.%). Furthermore, we found relatively large vesicles (1–5μm) at the low MEL-B concentration using CLSM observation. The trapped volume of the obtained MEL-B vesicle was estimated to be about 0.42μL/μmol by glucose dialysis method. These results suggest that the natural glycolipid biosurfactant, the newly found MEL-B, would be useful in various fields of applications as an Lα phase- and/or vesicle-forming lipid. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

The article describes the multiple functions of ergosterol in the fission yeast Schizosaccharomyces pombe. The researchers found that among several green fluorescent proteins (GFP)-tagged plasma membranes tested, an amino acid permease homologue, SPBC359.03c, was found to mislocalize to intracellular punctate structures in the erg mutants. They also found that the proteins are responsible for ergosterol biosynthesis in fission yeast, similar to the situation in Saccharomyces cerevisiae, and that ergosterol is important for plasma membrane structure and function and for localization of plasma membrane proteins.

Abstract: Kinetic studies on the interactions between self-assembled monolayers of mannosylerythritol lipids (MELs), which are glycolipid biosurfactants abundantly produced by microorganisms, and various classes of immunoglobulins including human IgG, IgA, and IgM were performed using surface plasmon resonance (SPR). The effect of the MEL structure on the binding behavior of HIgG was examined. Assembled monolayers of MEL-A having two acetyl groups on the headgroup gave a high affinity (K d =1.7×10−6 M) toward HIgG, while those of MEL-B or MEL-C having only one acetyl group at C-6′ or C-4′ position gave little affinity. Our kinetic analysis revealed that the binding manner of HIgG, HIgA (K d =2.4×10−7 M), and HIgM (K d =2.2×10−7 M) to the assembled monolayers of MEL-A is not the monovalent mode but the bivalent mode, and both the first and second rate association constants (k a1, k a2) increase with an increase in the number of antibody binding sites, while those for dissociation (k d1, k d2) changed little. Moreover, we succeeded in directly observing great amounts of HIgG, HIgA, and HIgM bound to MEL-A monolayers using atomic force microscopy (AFM). Finally, we found that MEL-A assembled monolayer binds toward various IgG derived from mouse, pig, rabbit, horse, goat, rat, and bovine as well as human IgG (HIgG), and the only exception was sheep IgG. These results clearly demonstrate that MEL-A assembled monolayers would be useful as noble affinity ligand system for various immunoglobulins. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Acetogens are among the key microorganisms involved in the bioproduction of commodity chemicals from diverse carbon resources, such as biomass and waste gas. Thermophilic acetogens are particularly attractive because fermentation at higher temperatures offers multiple advantages. However, the main target product is acetic acid. Therefore, it is necessary to reshape metabolism using genetic engineering to produce the desired chemicals with varied carbon lengths. Although such metabolic engineering has been hampered by the difficulty involved in genetic modification, a model thermophilic acetogen, M. thermoacetica ATCC 39073, is the case with a few successful cases of C2 and C3 compound production, other than acetate. This brief report attempts to expand the product spectrum to include C4 compounds by using strain Y72 of Moorella thermoacetica . Strain Y72 is a strain related to the type strain ATCC 39073 and has been reported to have a less stringent restriction-modification system, which could alleviate the cumbersome transformation process. A simplified procedure successfully introduced a key enzyme for acetoin (a C4 chemical) production, and the resulting strains produced acetoin from sugars and gaseous substrates. The culture profile revealed varied acetoin yields depending on the type of substrate and culture conditions, implying the need for further engineering in the future. Thus, the use of a user-friendly chassis could benefit the genetic engineering of M. thermoacetica ., Competing Interests: This work has been included in a patent application by Hiroshima University and AIST., (Copyright © 2024 Kato, Fujii, Kato, Wada, Watanabe, Nakamichi, Aoi, Morita, Murakami and Nakashimada.)

Sophorolipids (SLs) are promising glycolipid biosurfactants as they are easily produced and functional. SLs from microorganisms are comprised of mixtures of multiple derivatives that have different structures and properties, including well-known acidic and lactonic SL (ASLs and LSLs, respectively). In this study, we established a method for analyzing all SL derivatives in the products of Starmerella bombicola, a typical SL-producing yeast. Detailed component analyses of S. bombicola products were carried out using reversed-phase high-performance liquid chromatography and mass spectrometry. Methanol was used as the eluent as it is a good solvent for all SL derivatives. With this approach, it was possible to not only quantify the ratio of the main components of ASL, LSL, and SL glycerides but also confirm trace components such as SL mono-glyceride and bola-form SL (sophorose at both ends); notably, this is the first time these components have been isolated and identified successfully in naturally occurring SLs. In addition, our results revealed a novel SL derivative in which a fatty acid is bonded in series to the ASL, which had not been reported previously. Using the present analysis method, it was possible to easily track compositional changes in the SL components during culture. Our results showed that LSL and ASL are produced initially and that SL glycerides accumulate from the middle stage during the fermentation process. KEY POINTS: • An easy and detailed component analysis method for sophorolipids (SLs) is introduced. • Multiple SL derivatives were identified different from known SLs. • A novel hydrophobic acidic SL was isolated and characterized., (© 2024. The Author(s).)

Background: Xylobiose, a non-digestible disaccharide, largely contributes to the beneficial physiological effects of xylooligosaccharides. However, there is insufficient evidence to assess the direct effect of xylobiose on intestinal barrier function. Here, we investigated the intestinal barrier function in human intestinal Caco-2 cells treated with xylobiose., Results: In total, 283 genes were upregulated and 256 genes were downregulated in xylobiose-treated Caco-2 cells relative to the controls. We focused on genes related to intestinal barrier function, such as tight junction (TJ) and heat shock protein (HSP). Xylobiose decreased the expression of the TJ gene Claudin 2 (CLDN2) and increased the expression of the cytoprotective HSP genes HSPB1 and HSPA1A, which encode HSP27 and HSP70, respectively. Immunoblot analysis confirmed that xylobiose suppressed CLDN2 expression and enhanced HSP27 and HSP70 expression. A quantitative reverse transcription-PCR and promoter assays indicated that xylobiose post-transcriptionally regulated CLDN2 and HSPB1 levels. Additionally, selective inhibition of phosphatidyl-3-inositol kinase (PI3K) inhibited xylobiose-mediated CLDN2 expression, whereas HSP27 expression induced by xylobiose was sensitive to the inhibition of PI3K, mitogen-activated protein kinase kinase and Src., Conclusion: The results of the present study reveal that xylobiose suppresses CLDN2 and increases HSP27 expression in intestinal Caco-2 cells via post-transcriptional regulation, potentially strengthening intestinal barrier integrity; however, these effects seem to occur via different signaling pathways. Our findings may help to assess the physiological role of xylobiose. © 2023 Society of Chemical Industry., (© 2023 Society of Chemical Industry.)

The degradation of biodegradable plastics poses a significant environmental challenge and requires effective solutions. In this study, an esterase derived from a phyllosphere yeast Pseudozyma antarctica (PaE) enhanced the degradation and mineralization of poly(butylene succinate-co-adipate) (PBSA) film in soil. PaE was found to substitute for esterases from initial degraders and activate sequential esterase production from soil microbes. The PBSA film pretreated with PaE (PBSA-E) rapidly diminished and was mineralized in soil until day 55 with high CO 2 production. Soil with PBSA-E maintained higher esterase activities with enhancement of microbial abundance, whereas soil with inactivated PaE-treated PBSA film (PBSA-inact E) showed gradual degradation and time-lagged esterase activity increases. The fungal genera Arthrobotrys and Tetracladium, as possible contributors to PBSA-film degradation, increased in abundance in soil with PBSA-inact E but were less abundant in soil with PBSA-E. The dominance of the fungal genus Fusarium and the bacterial genera Arthrobacter and Azotobacter in soil with PBSA-E further supported PBSA degradation. Our study highlights the potential of PaE in addressing concerns associated with biodegradable plastic persistence in agricultural and environmental contexts., (© 2024. The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer-Verlag GmbH Germany, part of Springer Nature.)

Mannosylerythritol lipids (MELs) are extracellular glycolipids produced by the basidiomycetous yeast strains. MELs consist of the disaccharide mannosylerythritol, which is acylated with fatty acids and acetylated at the mannose moiety. In the MEL biosynthesis pathway, an acyltransferase from Pseudozyma tsukubaensis , PtMAC2p, a known excellent MEL producer, has been identified to catalyze the acyl-transfer of fatty acid to the C3'-hydroxyl group of mono-acylated MEL; however, its structure remains unclear. Here, we performed X-ray crystallography of recombinant PtMAC2p produced in Escherichia coli and homogeneously purified it with catalytic activity in vitro . The crystal structure of PtMAC2p was determined by single-wavelength anomalous dispersion using iodide ions. The crystal structure shows that PtMAC2p possesses a large putative catalytic tunnel at the center of the molecule. The structural comparison demonstrated that PtMAC2p is homologous to BAHD acyltransferases, although its amino acid-sequence identity was low (<15%). Interestingly, the HXXXD motif, which is a conserved catalytic motif in the BAHD acyltransferase superfamily, is partially conserved as His158-Thr159-Leu160-Asn161-Gly162 in PtMAC2p, i.e. , D in the HXXXD motif is replaced by G in PtMAC2p. Site-directed mutagenesis of His158 to Ala resulted in more than 1,000-fold decrease in the catalytic activity of PtMAC2p. These findings suggested that His158 in PtMAC2p is the catalytic residue. Moreover, in the putative catalytic tunnel, hydrophobic amino acid residues are concentrated near His158, suggesting that this region is a binding site for the fatty acid side chain of MEL (acyl acceptor) and/or acyl-coenzyme A (acyl donor). To our knowledge, this is the first study to provide structural insight into the catalytic activity of an enzyme involved in MEL biosynthesis., Competing Interests: The authors declare that the research was conducted in the absence of any commercial or financial relationships that could be construed as a potential conflict of interest., (Copyright © 2023 Nakamichi, Saika, Watanabe, Fujii and Morita.)

TcXyn30A from Talaromyces cellulolyticus, which belongs to subfamily 7 of the glycoside hydrolase family 30 (GH30-7), releases xylose from the reducing end of xylan and xylooligosaccharides (XOSs), the so-called reducing-end xylose-releasing exoxylanase (ReX). In this study, the crystal structures of TcXyn30A with and without xylose at subsite +1 (the binding site of the xylose residue at the reducing end) were determined. This is the first report on the structure of ReX in the family GH30-7. TcXyn30A forms a dimer. The complex structure of TcXyn30A with xylose revealed that subsite +1 is located at the dimer interface. TcXyn30A recognizes xylose at subsite +1 composed of amino acid residues from each monomer and blocks substrate binding to subsite +2 by dimer formation. Thus, the dimeric conformation is responsible for ReX activity. The structural comparison between TcXyn30A and the homologous enzyme indicated that subsite -2 is composed of assembled three stacked Trp residues, Trp49, Trp333, and Trp334, allowing TcXyn30A to accommodate xylan and any branched XOSs decorated with a substitution such as α-1,2-linked 4-O-methyl-d-glucuronic acid or α-1,2- and/or -1,3-linked L-arabinofuranose. These findings provide an insight into the structural determinants for ReX activity of TcXyn30A., (© 2023 Wiley Periodicals LLC.)

The basidiomycetous yeast Pseudozyma tsukubaensis produces a mannosylerythritol lipid (MEL) homologue, a diastereomer type of MEL-B, from olive oil. In a previous study, MEL-B production was increased by the overexpression of lipase PaLIPAp in P. tsukubaensis 1E5, through the enhancement of oil consumption. In the present study, RNA sequence analysis was used to identify a promoter able to induce high-level PaLIPA expression. The recombinant strain, expressing PaLIPA via the translation elongation factor 1 alpha/Tu promoter, showed higher lipase activity, rates of oil degradation, and MEL-B production than the strain which generated in our previous study.

Hydrogen (H 2 ) converted to reducing equivalents is used by acetogens to fix and metabolize carbon dioxide (CO 2 ) to acetate. The utilization of H 2 enables not only autotrophic growth, but also mixotrophic metabolism in acetogens, enhancing carbon utilization. This feature seems useful, especially when the carbon utilization efficiency of organic carbon sources is lowered by metabolic engineering to produce reduced chemicals, such as ethanol. The potential advantage was tested using engineered strains of Moorella thermoacetica that produce ethanol. By adding H 2 to the fructose-supplied culture, the engineered strains produced increased levels of acetate, and a slight increase in ethanol was observed. The utilization of a knockout strain of the major acetate production pathway, aimed at increasing the carbon flux to ethanol, was unexpectedly hindered by H 2 -mediated growth inhibition in a dose-dependent manner. Metabolomic analysis showed a significant increase in intracellular NADH levels due to H 2 in the ethanol-producing strain. Higher NADH level was shown to be the cause of growth inhibition because the decrease in NADH level by dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) reduction recovered the growth. When H 2 was not supplemented, the intracellular NADH level was balanced by the reversible electron transfer from NADH oxidation to H 2 production in the ethanol-producing strain. Therefore, reversible hydrogenase activity confers the ability and flexibility to balance the intracellular redox state of M. thermoacetica . Tuning of the redox balance is required in order to benefit from H 2 -supplemented mixotrophy, which was confirmed by engineering to produce acetone., Competing Interests: The authors declare that the research was conducted in the absence of any commercial or financial relationships that could be construed as potential conflicts of interest., (Copyright © 2022 Kobayashi, Kato, Wada, Takemura, Kato, Fujii, Iwasaki, Aoi, Morita, Matsushika, Murakami and Nakashimada.)

Mannosylerythritol lipids (MELs), which are one of the representative sugar-based biosurfactants (BSs) produced by microorganisms, have attracted much attention in various fields in the sustainable development goals (SDGs) era. However, they are inseparable mixtures with respect to the chain length of the fatty acids. In this study, self-assembling properties and structure-activity relationship (SAR) studies of recovery effects on damaged skin cells using chemically synthesized MELs were investigated. It was revealed, for the first time, that synthetic and homogeneous MELs exhibited significant self-assembling properties to form droplets or giant vesicles. In addition, a small difference in the length of the fatty acid chains of the MELs significantly affected their recovery effects on the damaged skin cells. MELs with medium or longer length alkyl chains exhibited much higher recovery effects than that of C18-ceramide NP., (© 2021 Wiley-VCH GmbH.)

Moesziomyces antarcticus is a basidiomycetous yeast that produces mannosylerythritol lipids (MELs), which have potential applications as bio-based functional materials in various oleochemical industries, the cosmetics, toiletry, agriculture, and pharmaceutical industries. To better understand the MEL producer, we characterized the central metabolic pathways of M. antarcticus strain T-34 grown on glucose or olive oil via metabolomics. The relative fatty acid content was higher in the cells cultured in olive oil compared to glucose, while the acetyl-CoA content was lower in cells cultured in olive oil. The levels of the tricarboxylic acid cycle metabolites citrate/isocitrate, α-ketoglutarate, and succinate were lower in olive oil compared to glucose, while fumarate and malate levels exhibited the opposite pattern. Pyruvate was not detected in olive oil compared to glucose culture. The levels of glycerol, as well as trehalose, myo-inositol, threitol/erythritol, and mannitol/sorbitol, were higher in olive oil compared to glucose cultures. The ATP level was lower in olive oil compared to glucose culture, although the assimilation of fatty acids produced by digestion of olive oil should promote large amounts of ATP production. The possibility that ATP regeneration by respiratory chain complex promote oil utilization and MEL production in M. antarcticus T-34 was found based on the results of this metabolomic analysis.

The basidiomycetous yeast Ustilago shanxiensis CBS 10075, which was isolated from a wilting leaf in China, produces mannosylerythritol lipid (MEL) biosurfactants. Here, we report the draft genome sequence of U. shanxiensis CBS 10075, which was 21.7 Mbp in size, with a GC content of 52.55%, comprising 65 scaffolds.

Matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF MS) is a promising tool for the screening of glycolipid-type biosurfactants (BSs) from a crude extract of microbial products. However, it is unsuitable for the detection of lower molecular weight products because the observed ions are overlapped with matrix-derived ions at lower mass range. In this study, we applied a "matrix-free" surface-assisted laser desorption/ionization mass spectrometry (SALDI-MS) analysis using a through-hole alumina membrane as an ionization-assisting substrate. Using this method, we could detect a variety of lower molecular weight products in an extract of a glycolipid BS producer with good sensitivity. In addition, the culture solution could be analyzed directly by this method.

Biosurfactants produced by a variety of microorganisms show attractive properties (e.g., higher surface activity and biodegradability, lower toxicity, and environmental compatibility) compared to chemically synthesized counterparts. The numerous advantages of biosurfactants have prompted their application to not only the food, cosmetic, and pharmaceutical industries, but agriculture and environmental protection disciplines as well. Among different types of biosurfactants, glycolipids are the most practically useful, due to their high product titers from renewable resources and versatile interfacial and biochemical properties. Mannosylerythritol lipids (MELs) are characteristic glycolipid biosurfactants that are produced by different yeast strains of the genus Pseudozyma. MELs exhibit different lyotropic liquid crystalline phases, such as sponge (L 3 ), reverse bicontinuous cubic (V 2 ), or lamellar (L α ) phases; and they have high levels of surface activity at very low concentrations. MELs also show excellent moisturizing effects on human skin and hair, with comparable performance to natural ceramides. Today, MELs are commercially produced by a Japanese company and their use is rapidly expanding around the world. In this review, we will briefly describe the current R&D status of glycolipid biosurfactants, with a focus on the interfacial properties of MELs and their applications in cosmetic and personal care products.

We report a bio-based, soft, elastic, and tough material prepared from a mixture of ε-poly-l-lysine (ε-PL) and d-fructose. The obtained complex was insoluble in water, whereas its ingredients had high water solubility. This complex was likely formed via Schiff base formation and subsequent rearrangement reactions, that is, the Maillard reaction, because the reaction occurred between reducing sugars and cationic polyelectrolytes having primary and secondary amino groups. The progress of the Maillard reaction was investigated by proton nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy. Mechanical properties of the complexes were evaluated by tensile testing, and the properties of the optimized complex [ε-PL/fructose = 60:40 (w/w), maximum stress = 27.9 MPa, strain at break = 46%, Young's modulus = 741.6 MPa] resembled those of some petroleum-based plastics. Additionally, the ε-PL/fructose complex displayed antimicrobial activity against Bacillus subtilis . These ε-PL/fructose complexes have biological properties such as antimicrobial activity, low toxicity toward mammals, and biodegradability, which are attributable to the intrinsic nature of ε-PL, as well as enhanced mechanical properties and water resistance compared with pure ε-PL., Competing Interests: The authors declare no competing financial interest., (Copyright © 2020 American Chemical Society.)

meso-Diaminopimelate dehydrogenase (meso-DAPDH) catalyzes the reversible NADP + -dependent oxidative deamination of meso-2,6-diaminopimelate (meso-DAP) to produce l-2-amino-6-oxopimelate. Moreover, d-amino acid dehydrogenase (d-AADHs) derived from protein-engineered meso-DAPDH is useful for one-step synthesis of d-amino acids with high optical purity. Here, we report the identification and functional characterization of a novel NAD(P) + -dependent meso-DAPDH from Numidum massiliense (NmDAPDH). After the gene encoding the putative NmDAPDH was expressed in recombinant Escherichia coli cells, the enzyme was purified 4.0-fold to homogeneity from the crude extract through five purification steps. Although the previously known meso-DAPDHs use only NADP + as a coenzyme, NmDAPDH was able to use both NADP + and NAD + as coenzymes. When NADP + was used as a coenzyme, NmDAPDH exhibited an approximately 2 times higher k cat /K m value toward meso-DAP than that of meso-DAPDH from Symbiobacterium thermophilum (StDAPDH). NmDAPDH also catalyzed the reductive amination of corresponding 2-oxo acids to produce acidic d-amino acids such as d-aspartate and d-glutamate. The optimum pH and temperature for the oxidative deamination of meso-DAP were about 10.5 and 75°C, respectively. Like StDAPDH, NmDAPDH exhibited high stability: it retained more than 75% of its activity after 30 min at 60°C (pH 7.2) or at pHs ranging from 5.5 to 13.0 (50°C). Alignment of the amino acid sequences of NmDAPDH and the known meso-DAPDHs suggested NmDAPDH has a hexameric structure. Given its specificity for both NADP + and NAD + , high stability, and a broad range of reductive amination activity toward 2-oxo acids, NmDAPDH appears to offer advantages for engineering a more effective d-AADH., (© 2020 The Authors. MicrobiologyOpen published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.)

A moldable material from a natural cationic polyelectrolyte, ε-poly-l-lysine (ε-PL), was prepared by mixing with two lignosulfonates a reagent for research (L-SO 3 Na) and a commercially available purified lignosulfonate (Pearllex NP). The obtained ε-PL/lignosulfonate complexes demonstrated the ability to be tuned from a rigid form, such as polystyrene or poly(methyl methacrylate), to a soft elastomer form such as silicone by varying the lignosulfonate species and composition. The maximum toughness of the complex (8.4 MJ/m 3 ) was superior to that of ε-PL or lignosulfonate-derived polyelectrolyte complexes. In addition, the ε-PL/lignosulfonate complex showed self-healing properties due to the many reversible ionic bonds in the complex. The preparation process for the novel complex was simple, involving the mixing and drying of an aqueous solution of the polyelectrolyte without any extra reagents (organic solvents, condensation reagents, and cross-linker). Thus, given these many advantages and the excellent biodegradability of the components, the ε-PL/lignosulfonate complex is expected to be useful as a sustainable structural material., Competing Interests: The authors declare no competing financial interest.

We applied matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF/MS) to screen for glycolipid-type biosurfactant (BS) producers. A crude extract of Pseudozyma antarctica, a well-known mannosylerythritol lipid (MEL) producer, was initially subjected to MALDI-TOF/MS. The spectrum of the extract showed the accumulation of diacylated MELs in culture. We then screened 80 environmental samples for BS-producing yeasts, and extracts from broth cultures of the selected five strains were examined using MALDI-TOF/MS. The results showed that all five strains produced MELs, whereas four strains also produced cellobiose lipids (CLs). By D1/D2 region sequence analysis, the MEL-producing strain was assigned to P. antarctica while the four MEL- and CL-producing strains were assigned to P. hubeiensis. These results demonstrate that MALDI-TOF/MS is a rapid and reliable tool to detect BS molecules in crude extracts of broth cultures to screen for glycolipid-type BS producers.

Surface properties of cast films of poly(lactic acid) (PLA) containing 1 wt% of several glycolipid-type biosurfactants (BSs) were investigated. The wettability of PLA films containing a homologue of mannosylerythritol lipids (MEL-B), lactone-form sophorolipid (LSL), or cellobiose lipid (CL) was drastically higher than that of untreated PLA and several synthetic surfactants-containing PLA. Surface wettability was also dependent on the hydrophilicity of the substrate used during solvent casting of the PLA films. The wetting behavior of the opposing sides of MEL-B-containing films prepared on glass substrates differed significantly; the contact angle on the side of the film that had been in contact with the glass surface was significantly lower than that obtained on the side of the film that had been in contact with air. Time-of-flight secondary ion mass spectrometry (TOF-SIMS) analysis results showed that the MEL in MEL-B-containing thin PLA cast films was localized to a thin surface layer. These results suggest self-assembly of MEL-B and micro-phase separation between the PLA matrix and MEL-B domains. This resulted in the localization and orientation of MEL-B at the surface of the cast PLA film, which determined its specific wetting behavior.

We discovered that Candida floricola ZM1502 is capable of selectively producing the promising hydrophilic biosurfactants, acid-form sophorolipids (SLs), from glycerol. However, productivity was very low (approximately 3.5 g L -1 ) under the initial culture conditions. Here, we describe the design of culture medium for abundant production of acid-form SLs by C. floricola ZM1502 using waste glycerol and hydrophobic substrates in order to develop a method for SL production and disposal of waste glycerol produced by oleo-chemical industries. Urea provided the best nitrogen source for acid-form SL production from glycerol among four nitrogen sources tested [urea, NaNO 3 , NH 4 NO 3 , and (NH 4 ) 2 SO 4 ]. Among carbon sources we compared, hydrophobic substrates (soybean oil and oleic acid) led to productivities of approximately 20 g L -1 , indicating that hydrophobic substrates provided fatty acid moieties for SL production. Addition of olive oil and oleic acid to waste glycerol enhanced acid-form SL production to 42.1 ± 0.9 and 37.5 ± 3.4 g L -1 , respectively. To develop a potential industrial process, we explored other suitable hydrophobic substrates for SL production, which were obtained on site from oleo-chemical industries. Alkyl C 18 esters (Pastell M-182), along with waste glycerol, increased acid-form SL production to 48.0 ± 3.4 g L -1 over a 7-d period. Furthermore, we demonstrated abundant production of acidic SLs at the mini-jar fermenter scale, obtaining 169 g L -1 over 180 h using a fed-batch cultivation technique. Efficient acid-form SL production by C. floricola could have a great impact on the development of bio-industrial processes using waste glycerol as a substrate.

Yeast host-vector systems are useful tools for the production of recombinant proteins. Here, we report the construction of a new high-level expression plasmid pPAX1-neo for the basidiomycetous yeast, Pseudozyma antarctica. pPAX1-neo harbours a xylose-inducible expression cassette under control of the xylanase promoter and terminator of P. antarctica T-34, a selection cassette of neomycin/G418 with an Escherichia coli neomycin resistance gene under control of the homocitrate synthase promoter of strain T-34, and an autonomously replicating sequence fragment of Ustilago maydis (UARS). Biodegradable plastic (BP)-degrading enzymes of P. antarctica JCM10317 (PaE) and Paraphoma-related fungal strain B47-9 (PCLE) were used as reporter proteins and inserted into pPAX1-neo, resulting in pPAX1-neo::PaCLE1 and pPAX1-neo::PCLE, respectively. Homologous and heterologous BP-degrading enzyme production of transformants of P. antarctica T-34 were detected on agar plates containing xylose and emulsified BP. Recombinant PaE were also produced by transformants of other Pseudozyma strains including Pseudozyma aphidis, Pseudozyma rugulosa, and Pseudozyma tsukubaensis. To improve the stability of transformed genes in cells, the UARS fragment was removed from linearized pPAX1-neo::PaCLE1 and integrated into the chromosome of the P. antarctica strain, GB-4(0), which was selected as a PaE producer in xylose media. Two transformants, GB-4(0)-X14 and X49, had an 11-fold higher activity compared with the wild type strain in xylose-containing liquid media. By xylose fed-batch cultivation using a 3-L jar fermentor, GB-4(0)-X14 produced 73.5 U mL(-1) of PaE, which is 13.4-fold higher than that of the wild type strain GB-4(0), which produced 5.5 U mL(-1) of PaE.

Bioethanol production using lignocellulosic biomass generates lignocellulosic bioethanol distillery wastewater (LBDW) that contains a large amount of xylose, making it a potential inexpensive source of xylose for biomaterials production. The main goal of this study was the production of useful enzymes from LBDW during treatment of this wastewater. In this study, we found that xylose strongly induced two yeast strains, Pseudozyma antarctica T-34 and GB-4(0), to produce novel xylanases, PaXynT and PaXynG, respectively. The nucleotide sequence of PaXynT [accession No. DF196774 (GAC73192.1)], obtained from the genome database of strain T-34 using its N-terminal amino acid sequence, was 91% identical to that of PaXynG (accession No. AB901085), and the deduced amino acid sequence is 98% identical. The specific activities of the purified PaXynT and PaXynG were about 52 U/mg. The optimal pH and temperature for both enzymes' activities were 5.2 and 50°C, respectively. They hydrolyzed xylan to xylose and neither had β-xylosidase (EC 3.2.1.37) activity, indicating that they are endo-β-xylanases (EC 3.2.1.8). With these results, we expect that PaXyns can be employed in saccharizing lignocellulosic biomass materials for the production of useful products just like other endoxylanases. After 72 h of LBDW fed-batch cultivation using a jar-fermentor, strain GB-4(0) produced 17.3 U/ml (corresponding to about 0.3 g/l) of PaXynG and removed 63% of dissolved organic carbon and 87% of dissolved total phosphorus from LBDW. These results demonstrate the potential of P. antarctica for xylanase production during LBDW treatment.

To develop a structural homolog of mannosylerythritol lipids (MELs), Pseudozyma tsukubaensis JCM16987 (known to be a specific producer of the diastereomer type of mono-acetylated MEL (MEL-B)) was cultivated in medium containing 4 % (w/v) olive oil as the primary carbon source and 4 % L-arabitol as the supplemental sugar alcohol. Based on thin-layer chromatography (TLC), the glycolipid extract showed two major spots corresponding to MEL-B and an unknown glycolipid (GL1). Based on high-performance liquid chromatography after acid hydrolysis, GL1 from the L-arabitol culture showed two primary peaks identical to mannose and arabitol using the sugar analysis column, and one peak identical to L-arabitol was detected using the chiral resolution column. Based on NMR analysis, GL1 was identified as mono-acetylated mannosyl-L-arabitol lipid (MLAL-B) consisting of mannose, with L-arabitol as the sugar moiety. The observed critical micelle concentration (CMC) and surface tension at the CMC (γCMC) of MLAL-B were 1.2 × 10(-5) M and 32.8 mN/m, which were significantly higher than MEL-B (CMC = 3.1 × 10(-6) M and γcmc = 26.1 mN/m). Furthermore, based on a water-penetration scan, MLAL-B efficiently formed lamellar phase (Lα) and myelins at a broad concentration range. Thus, the present glycolipid showed higher hydrophilicity and/or water solubility and increased our understanding of environmentally advanced biosurfactants.

The synergic effect and miscibility of the lactonic and acidic forms of sophorolipids (SLs) produced by Starmerella bombicola NBRC 10243 were first evaluated through atomic force microscopy (AFM), together with the Langmuir monolayer technique. The π-A isotherm of a pure lactonic sophorolipid (LS) monolayer mostly exhibited a liquid expanded monolayer, while that of an acidic sophorolipid (AS) monolayer showed a liquid condensed monolayer, suggesting that the lactonization of SLs makes the molecules more bulky and prevents them from adopting a close-packed arrangement. Plots of the mean area per molecule of mixed LS/AS monolayers gave positive deviations from the ideal curves, implying that the LS and AS molecules are miscible. Interestingly, the positive deviation of excess area (Aex) from ideality was most significant at a mole fraction (XAS) of 0.3, which closely resembles the composition of the LS/AS mixture secreted by S. bombicola in culture. The AFM images of mixed LS/AS monolayers transferred at 20 mN/m revealed no phase-separated microdomain structures, but rather showed small protruding objects for all compositions, indicating that LS and AS are partially miscible, as predicted by the positive deviations from the ideal curves. Cross-section analysis of the AFM images indicated that the observed protruding objects are AS-rich monolayers formed on the LS/AS monolayer. Our results clearly demonstrate that AFM combined with the Langmuir technique is useful for the exploration of the miscibility and synergic effects of microbial products.

Mannosylerythritol (ME) is the hydrophilic backbone of mannosylerythritol lipids as the most promising biosurfactants produced by different Pseudozyma yeasts, and has been receiving attention as a new sugar alcohol. Different Pseudozyma yeasts were examined for the sugar alcohol production using glucose as the sole carbon source. P. hubeiensis KM-59 highly produced a conventional type of ME, i.e., 4-O-β-D-mannopyranosyl-D-erythritol (4-ME). Interestingly, P. tsukubaensis KM-160 produced a diastereomer of 4-ME, i.e., 1-O-β-D-mannopyranosyl-D-erythritol (1-ME). In shake flask culture with 200 g/l of glucose, strain KM-59 produced 4-ME at a yield of 33.2 g/l (2.2 g/l/day of the productivity), while strain KM-160 produced 1-ME at 30.0 g/l (2.0 g/l/day). Moreover, the two strains were found to produce ME from glycerol; the maximum yields of 4-ME and 1-ME from 200 g/l of glycerol were 16.1 g/l (1.1 g/l/day) and 15.8 g/l (1.1 g/l/day), respectively. The production of 1-ME as the new diastereomer was further investigated in fed batch culture using a 5-l jar-fermenter. Compared to the flask culture, strain KM-160 gave three times higher productivity of 1-ME at 38.0 g/l (6.3 g/l/day) from glucose and at 31.1 g/l (3.5 g/l/day) from glycerol, respectively. This is the first report on the selective production of two diastereomers of ME, and should thus facilitate the functional development and application of the disaccharide sugar alcohol in the food and relative industries.

The biological function of mannosylerythritol lipids (MELs) towards their producer, Pseudozyma antarctica, on plant surfaces was investigated. MEL-producing wild-type strain and its MEL production-defective mutant strain (ΔPaEMT1) were compared in terms of their phenotypic traits on the surface of plastic plates, onion peels, and fresh leaves of rice and wheat. While wild-type cells adhering on plastic surfaces and onion peels changed morphologically from single cells to elongated ones for a short period of about 4 h and 1 day, respectively, ΔPaEMT1 cells did not. Microscopic observation of both strains grown on plant leaf surfaces verified that the wild type colonized a significantly bigger area than that of ΔPaEMT1. However, when MELs were exogenously added to the mutant cells on plant surfaces, their colonized area became enlarged. High-performance liquid chromatography analysis revealed a secretion of higher amount of MELs in the cell suspension incubated with wheat leaf cuttings compared to that in the suspension without cuttings. Transcriptional analysis by real-time reverse transcriptase PCR verified that the expression of erythritol/mannose transferase gene and MELs transporter gene of P. antarctica increased in the cells inoculated onto wheat leaves at 4, 6, and 8 days of incubation, indicating a potential of P. antarctica to produce MELs on the leaves. These findings demonstrate that MELs produced by P. antarctica on plant surfaces could be expected to play a significant role in fungal morphological development and propagation on plant surfaces.

Mannosylerythritol lipids (MELs) are glycolipid biosurfactants abundantly produced by different basidiomycetous yeasts such as Pseudozyma, and show not only excellent interfacial properties but also versatile biochemical actions. These features of MELs make their application in new technology areas possible. Recently, the structural and functional variety of MELs was considerably expanded by advanced microbial screening methods. Different types of MELs bearing different hydrophilic and hydrophobic parts have been reported. The genes responsible for MEL biosynthesis were identified, and their genetic study is now in progress, aiming to control the chemical structure. The excellent properties leading to practical cosmetic ingredients, i.e., moisturization of dry skin, repair of damaged hair, activation of fibroblast and papilla cells and antioxidant and protective effects in skin cells, have been demonstrated on the yeast glycolipid biosurfactants. In this review, the current status of research and development on MELs, particularly the commercial application in cosmetics, is described.

Pseudozyma antarctica JCM 10317 exhibits a strong degradation activity for biodegradable plastics (BPs) such as agricultural mulch films composed of poly(butylene succinate) (PBS) and poly(butylene succinate-co-adipate) (PBSA). An enzyme named PaE was isolated and the gene encoding PaE was cloned from the strain by functional complementation in Saccharomyces cerevisiae. The deduced amino acid sequence of PaE contains 198 amino acids with a predicted molecular weight of 20,362.41. High identity was observed between this sequence and that of cutinase-like enzymes (CLEs) (61-68%); therefore, the gene encoding PaE was named PaCLE1. The specific activity of PaE against emulsified PBSA was 54.8±6.3 U/mg. In addition to emulsified BPs, PaE degraded solid films of PBS, PBSA, poly(ε-caprolactone), and poly(lactic acid).