GEMs: genetically engineered microorganisms and the regulatory oversight of their uses in modern food production

Hanlon, Paul; Sewalt, Vincent

doi:10.1080/10408398.2020.1749026

Cited by 58 publications

(20 citation statements)

References 27 publications

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“…Genetically engineering microbes to enhance their beneficial uses in agriculture has been gaining acceptance. Numerous examples of genetically modified biocontrol agents with improved activity against phytopathogens have been reported (Farrar et al ., 2014 ; Arora et al ., 2020 ; Hanlon and Sewalt, 2020 ). For example, overexpression of TRI5 in T. brevicompactum increased the antimicrobial activity of the strain via incorporation of TD into the antimicrobial compound trichodermin (Tijerino et al., 2011 ).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Use of the volatile trichodiene to reduce Fusarium head blight and trichothecene contamination in wheat

Taylor

Gutiérrez

McCormick

et al. 2021

Microbial Biotechnology

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Fusarium graminearum is the primary cause of Fusarium head blight (FHB), one of the most economically important diseases of wheat worldwide. FHB reduces yield and contaminates grain with the trichothecene mycotoxin deoxynivalenol (DON), which poses a risk to plant, human and animal health. The first committed step in trichothecene biosynthesis is formation of trichodiene (TD). The volatile nature of TD suggests that it could be a useful intra or interspecies signalling molecule, but little is known about the potential signalling role of TD during F. graminearum-wheat interactions. Previous work using a transgenic Trichoderma harzianum strain engineered to emit TD (Th + TRI5) indicated that TD can function as a signal that can modulate pathogen virulence and host plant resistance. Herein, we demonstrate that Th + TRI5 has enhanced biocontrol activity against F. graminearum and reduced DON contamination by 66% and 70% in a moderately resistant and a susceptible cultivar, respectively. While Th + TRI5 volatiles significantly influenced the expression of the pathogenesis-related 1 (PR1) gene, the effect was dependent on cultivar. Th + TRI5 volatiles strongly reduced DON production in F. graminearum plate cultures and downregulated the expression of TRI genes. Finally, we confirm that TD fumigation reduced DON accumulation in a detached wheat head assay.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Use of the volatile trichodiene to reduce Fusarium head blight and trichothecene contamination in wheat

Taylor

Gutiérrez

McCormick

et al. 2021

Microbial Biotechnology

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“…A decisive advantage is that B. subtilis has been granted a GRAS status for the production of enzyme preparations (Sewalt et al 2016 ), which simplifies industrial implementation. The industrial use of wild-type organisms in the agriculture or food sector of the European Union is preferred due to customer demand and strict legal requirements for genetically modified organisms (GMOs) (Peters and Sawicka 2007 ; Hanlon and Sewalt 2021 ). As genetic engineering is not a suitable option for process improvement in this context, “smart process control ” (Noll and Henkel 2020 ) is on a rise.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Modeling the time course of ComX: towards molecular process control for Bacillus wild-type cultivations

et al. 2021

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Wild-type cultivations are of invaluable relevance for industrial biotechnology when it comes to the agricultural or food sector. Here, genetic engineering is hardly applicable due to legal barriers and consumer’s demand for GMO-free products. An important pillar for wild-type cultivations displays the genus Bacillus. One of the challenges for Bacillus cultivations is the global ComX-dependent quorum sensing system. Here, molecular process control can serve as a tool to optimize the production process without genetic engineering. To realize this approach, quantitative knowledge of the mechanism is essential, which, however, is often available only to a limited extent. The presented work provides a case study based on the production of cyclic lipopeptide surfactin, whose expression is in dependence of ComX, using natural producer B. subtilis DSM 10 T. First, a surfactin reference process with 40 g/L of glucose was performed as batch fermentation in a pilot scale bioreactor system to gain novel insights into kinetic behavior of ComX in relation to surfactin production. Interestingly, the specific surfactin productivity did not increase linearly with ComX activity. The data were then used to derive a mathematic model for the time course of ComX in dependence of existing biomass, biomass growth as well as a putative ComX-specific protease. The newly adapted model was validated and transferred to other batch fermentations, employing 20 and 60 g/L glucose. The applied approach can serve as a model system for molecular process control strategies, which can thus be extended to other quorum sensing dependent wild-type cultivations.

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“…Furthermore, many SCP formulations have shown positive effects on immunological, microbiome, and inflammatory responses in different species (Atlantic salmon, gilthead seabream, and rainbow trout, among others) [ 151 ]. All these benefits can be increased with genetic manipulation as microorganisms have an easier genetic improvement and transfer than higher animals and plants [ 152 ]. In addition, different studies support that the production of SCP in food and feed would exert positive effects on the environment (see Section 1 for further details).…”

Section: Process Applicationmentioning

confidence: 99%

Single-Cell Proteins Obtained by Circular Economy Intended as a Feed Ingredient in Aquaculture

Pereira

Fraga-Corral

García-Oliveira

et al. 2022

Foods

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The constant increment in the world’s population leads to a parallel increase in the demand for food. This situation gives place the need for urgent development of alternative and sustainable resources to satisfy this nutritional requirement. Human nutrition is currently based on fisheries, which accounts for 50% of the fish production for human consumption, but also on agriculture, livestock, and aquaculture. Among them, aquaculture has been pointed out as a promising source of animal protein that can provide the population with high-quality protein food. This productive model has also gained attention due to its fast development. However, several aquaculture species require considerable amounts of fish protein to reach optimal growth rates, which represents its main drawback. Aquaculture needs to become sustainable using renewable source of nutrients with high contents of proteins to ensure properly fed animals. To achieve this goal, different approaches have been considered. In this sense, single-cell protein (SCP) products are a promising solution to replace fish protein from fishmeal. SCP flours based on microbes or algae biomass can be sustainably obtained. These microorganisms can be cultured by using residues supplied by other industries such as agriculture, food, or urban areas. Hence, the application of SCP for developing innovative fish meal offers a double solution by reducing the management of residues and by providing a sustainable source of proteins to aquaculture. However, the use of SCP as aquaculture feed also has some limitations, such as problems of digestibility, presence of toxins, or difficulty to scale-up the production process. In this work, we review the potential sources of SCP, their respective production processes, and their implementation in circular economy strategies, through the revalorization and exploitation of different residues for aquaculture feeding purposes. The data analyzed show the positive effects of SCP inclusion in diets and point to SCP meals as a sustainable feed system. However, new processes need to be exploited to improve yield. In that direction, the circular economy is a potential alternative to produce SCP at any time of the year and from various cost-free substrates, almost without a negative impact.

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GEMs: genetically engineered microorganisms and the regulatory oversight of their uses in modern food production

Cited by 58 publications

References 27 publications

Use of the volatile trichodiene to reduce Fusarium head blight and trichothecene contamination in wheat

Use of the volatile trichodiene to reduce Fusarium head blight and trichothecene contamination in wheat

Modeling the time course of ComX: towards molecular process control for Bacillus wild-type cultivations

Single-Cell Proteins Obtained by Circular Economy Intended as a Feed Ingredient in Aquaculture

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