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Title: BIOCONVERSION OF ALPHA-LINOLENIC ACID BY STRAIN CLAVIBACTER SP ALA2

Author
item Hou, Ching
item HOSOKAWA, MASASHI - HOKKAIDO UNIV., JAPAN

Submitted to: Meeting Abstract
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: 12/5/2002
Publication Date: N/A
Citation: N/A

Interpretive Summary:

Technical Abstract: Microbial enzyme systems transformed unsaturated fatty acids to functional substances. Previously, we reported that Clavibacter sp. ALA2 converted linoleic acid to unique cyclic fatty acids such as diepoxy bicyclic fatty acids (DEOAs) and tetrahydrofuranyl fatty acids (THFAs) as well as trihydroxy fatty acids (THOAs). Now, we investigated bioconversion of alpha-linolenic acid (18:3, n-3) by the ALA2 system. Bioconversions were carried out by adding a free fatty acid to a one-day-old culture (50 ml) and shaking at 200 rpm at 30 deg c for 2-7 days. Reaction products were detected and analyzed by GC, GC-MS and NMR. We found that strain ALA2 produced novel THFAs, 13,16- dihydroxy-12,15-epoxy-9(Z)-octadecenoic acid and 7,13,16-trihydroxy-12,15-epoxy-9(Z)-octadecenoic acid from alpha-linolenic acid. The optimum incubation temperature was 30 deg C for production of both THFAs. The total yield of THFAs reached 67% after incubation of alpha-18:3 at 30 deg C for 7 days. In contrast, gamma-linolenic acid (18:3, n-6) was converted to DEOA, THFA and THOA as reported previously with linoleic acid. Therefore, strain ALA2 biotransformed n-3 and n-6 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) into different cyclic fatty acids with hydroxyl groups. Strain ALA2 converted n-3 PUFAs to THFAs, and n-6 PUFAs to DEOA, THFA and THOA.