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Plenary Lecture
Day 1, June 22(Sun.) 15:10-16:10
Room A (Maesato West), Room B (Maesato Center), Room C (Top of Yaima)
- 1-PL-1510
Advancing the Study and Practical Use of Microalgae Euglena
(1Euglena / RIKEN Baton Zone / Tohoku Univ. / UTM / UGM, 2Euglena / RIKEN Baton Zone, 3RIKEN Baton Zone / RIKEN CSRS / Yokohama City Univ. / Nagasaki Univ.)
oKengo Suzuki1, Koji Yamada2, Keiichi Mochida3
Microalgae offer significant potential for sustainability, and Euglena, in particular, has gained attention for its ability to produce valuable bioactive compounds such as paramylon, functional lipids, and vitamins. Since its establishment in 2005, Euglena Co., Ltd. has cultivated Euglena primarily for healthcare applications, pioneering its industrialization through the 5F biomass utilization model (food, fiber, feed, fertilizer, and fuel). Recent advances in genetic engineering, including CRISPR-Cas9, have further optimized Euglena's metabolic functions, enhancing its efficiency in producing bioactive compounds. Tailored modifications in paramylon biosynthesis, lipid metabolism, and stress resistance are expanding its industrial applications, particularly in food, healthcare, and renewable energy.
Additionally, LC-MS analysis has provided insights into Euglena's unique wax-ester metabolism under hypoxic conditions, revealing its ability to degrade paramylon for energy while accumulating wax-esters. The detection of hydrogen sulfide suggests a previously unidentified sulfur metabolism, which sulfur-metabolomics analysis has linked to significant metabolic shifts. These findings not only improve our understanding of Euglena's biochemical mechanisms but also open new possibilities for sustainable bioproduct development. By leveraging biotechnology, Euglena continues to play a key role in addressing global challenges such as food security, carbon capture, and sustainable energy production.