Monitoring Gamma-Linolenic Acid (GLA) biosynthesis in the cyanobacteria, spirulina platensis
Student name: Ms Deepti Khorwal
Guide: Dr Pallavi Somvanshi
Year of completion: 2013
Host Organisation: The Energy and Resource Institute (TERI), New Delhi
Supervisor (Host Organisation): Dr Sanjukta Subudhi
Abstract: Gamma Linolenic acid (GLA, 18:3, w6 fatty acid) is an essential poly unsaturated fatty acid
(PUFA). GLA has the potential for treating many physiological disorders in humans. It serves as
a precursor for prostaglandin biosynthesis and complements various immunological functions of
the body. Currently there are only few sources available mainly from plants such as borage,
evening- primrose, black currant; that are known to synthesize GLA. Arthrospira platensis, a
cyanobacteria reported to contain approximately 37% of GLA (from total PUFA) and thus serves
as an excellent source for the production of GLA. In the present study a novel strain of Spirulina
platensis purchased from IARI culture collections was employed to investigate for GLA
production. The strain was cultivated on Zarrouk’s media and GLA content of the strain was
monitored using gas chromatography at various time periods. The present strain showed
relatively good amount of GLA production. To understand the mechanism of GLA production of
the strain the gene encoding for delta-6-fatty acid desaturase (catalyses desaturation reaction of
Linoleic acid) was amplified from the genomic DNA and cloned into pGEMT easy vector system.
Positive clones harbouring desD gene were confirmed by colony PCR and restriction enzyme
digestion analysis.
Key words: GLA, PUFA, Spirulina platensis, Delta-6-desaturase, Zarrouk’s media
