Efficient Expression and Application of a Modified Rhizomucor miehei Lipase for Simultaneous Production of Biodiesel and Eicosapentaenoic Acid Ethyl Ester from Nannochloropsis Oil

Abstract

Few reports exist on one-step enzymatic methods for the simultaneous production of biodiesel and eicosapentaenoic acid ethyl ester (EPA-EE), a high-value pharmaceutical compound. This study aimed to efficiently express Rhizomucor miehei lipase (pRML) in Pichia pastoris X-33 via propeptide mutation and high-copy strain screening. The mutated enzyme was then used to simultaneously catalyze the production of both biodiesel and EPA-EE. The P46N mutation in the propeptide (P46N-pRML) significantly boosted its production, with the four-copy strain increasing enzyme yield by 3.7-fold, reaching 3425 U/mL. Meanwhile, its optimal temperature increased to 45−50 °C, pH expanded to 7.0−8.0, specific activity doubled, K m reduced to one-third, and k cat /K m increased 7-fold. Notably, P46N-pRML efficiently converts Nannochloropsis gaditana oil's eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA). Under optimal conditions, it achieves up to 93% biodiesel and 92% EPA-EE yields in 9 h. Our study introduces a novel, efficient one-step green method to produce both biodiesel and EPA-EE using this advanced enzyme.