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Patel, Alok et al.,Trends in Biotechnology, Volume 40, Issue 10, 1261, 1273,https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tibtech.2022.03.008
Using sunscreen, moisturizers, and lip gloss may seem harmless, but many of these products rely on an ingredient called squalene, which is often harvested from the livers of sharks. Harvesting squalene from shark livers kills the animals and harms the ocean ecosystem. To avoid such destruction, scientists have genetically engineered certain microbes to produce more squalene and reduce the killing of sharks for this resource.
So, why do people care about getting squalene anyway? Squalene is a lipid – an oil or fat – that is produced naturally in many plants and animals. In humans, it is produced in the liver and acts as a natural moisturizer for the skin. It is often added to skincare products to supplement this natural benefit. Additionally, squalene has more serious health benefits such as acting as an antioxidant, slowing the growth of tumors, and activating the immune system. These benefits are taken advantage of in food supplements, medications, cancer treatments, and more.
However, these products have a cost on shark populations since squalene-rich shark livers are a main source. In order to protect shark populations, scientists have researched using ocean microbes and yeasts as potential alternative sources for squalene. This would involve not only creating conditions for the microbes to thrive and produce large amounts of the lipid but also changing the genetics of the microbes so that they produce higher quantities. Some of these genetic changes include engineering yeast strains to produce more lipids overall, which are then stored in the form of squalene, and manipulating microbes to make extra amounts of the gene that leads to the production of squalene.
Works Cited
Patel, Alok, et al. “Microbial Genetic Engineering Approach to Replace Shark Livering for Squalene.” Trends in Biotechnology, vol. 40, no. 10, 18 Apr. 2022, pp. 1261–1273, doi:10.1016/j.tibtech.2022.03.008.
Starkman, Evan “What is Squalene?” radiance by WebMd, 12 Mar. 2021, https://www.webmd.com/beauty/what-is-squalane
Hernandez, Stephanie; Evashenk, Lauren “The Truth Behind One of the Cosmetic Industry's Deadliest Ingredients: Squalane” Axiology, 17 Aug. 2017, https://axiologybeauty.com/blogs/our-blog/everything-you-need-to-know-about-one-of-the-cosmetic-industrys-deadliest-ingredients-squalene
Wei, L-J, Kwak, S, Liu, J-J, et al. Improved squalene production through increasing lipid contents in Saccharomyces cerevisiae. Biotechnology and Bioengineering. 2018; 115 1793– 1800. https://doi.org/10.1002/bit.26595
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