Oleate Hydratase 2 and Uses Thereof

High-Yield Bioconversion Technology for Hydroxy Fatty Acids Using Novel Oleate Hydratase 2

This technology involves a novel oleate hydratase 2 gene derived from Stenotrophomonas maltophilia, an expression vector containing it, a recombinant E. coli transformant, and a method for producing hydroxy fatty acids from unsaturated fatty acids. It utilizes substrates such as oleic, linoleic, and linolenic acids, or soybean oil hydrolysates, to produce compounds like 10-hydroxystearic acid.

Hydroxy fatty acids are essential industrial materials used as precursors for lactone fragrances, as well as in resins, waxes, nylon, lubricants, coatings, and cosmetics. While microbial enzymatic bioconversion methods have been developed, existing oleate hydratases have limited reaction activity and production rates, hindering high-yield manufacturing.

This technology features a newly identified oleate hydratase 2 that significantly outperforms conventional Stenotrophomonas maltophilia-derived enzymes in reaction activity and production speed, enabling high-yield hydroxy fatty acid production. The products are used in fragrances, polymer synthesis, and emulsifiers. Applicable to bio-based manufacturing, it efficiently converts plant-based raw materials like soybean oil into high-performance fatty acid derivatives.

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Key Features:

• A polynucleotide comprising the nucleotide sequence of SEQ ID NO: 1 encoding oleate hydratase 2 and an expression vector containing it
• A step of recovering oleate hydratase 2 from a culture obtained by cultivating a recombinant E. coli transformant introduced with the expression vector
• A step of performing a hydration reaction by treating the transformant with unsaturated fatty acids such as oleic, palmitoleic, linoleic, or alpha-linolenic acid
• A step of producing 10-hydroxystearic acid or 9-hydroxynonanoic acid using fatty acid hydrolysates obtained by treating soybean oil with lipase

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This invention was developed with support from the Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries for the development of marine lipid-based bioplastic and long-chain polyester production technology.

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