Sustainable Production of Medium-Chain Fatty Acids (MCFAs)

Microbial oils have been presented as a paradigm for addressing challenges such as food security, climate change, and the shortage of nonrenewable resources. Medium-chain fatty acids (MCFAs) and their derivatives are utilized in the manufacture of high-quality biofuels and have a chain length of C8 to C12. In the biochemical, oleochemical, and nutraceutical industries, these MCFAs are used to make detergents, surfactants, bioplasticizers, lubricants, adhesives, perfumes, and precursors for taste and floral odors. MCFAs also provide simple absorption, rapid transport to the liver through portal veins, and rapid metabolism via the ß-oxidation pathway, all of which contribute to an increase in diet-induced thermogenesis. As a result, they aid in the prevention and treatment of a variety of metabolic problems, such as atherosclerosis, hypertension, hyperlipidemia, obesity, type 2 diabetes, and cardiovascular illnesses. Nonetheless, the abundance of naturally generated MCFAs from plant sources is expected to be insufficient to meet the industrial need. As a result, researchers are now focusing on the de novo manufacture of MCFAs by a range of oleaginous microorganism, such as Mucor circinelloides, that have been genetically engineered and culture conditions altered to overproduce MCFAs.