Insights from meta‐analysis for efficient docosahexaenoic acid production in thraustochytrids through advanced cultivation and fermentation strategies

Abstract This systematic review examines strategies for docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) production by thraustochytrids, focusing on cultivation techniques, fermentation technologies, and carbon/nitrogen optimization to increase productivity. Among 169 eligible articles, the 100 most productive studies (0.7–10.3 g DHA L −1 per day) were analyzed. Quantitative variables like carbon/nitrogen concentrations, temperature, and aeration showed weak correlation with DHA productivity, while qualitative factors were more strongly associated. Artificially selected strains (4.25 ± 0.41 g DHA L −1 per day) were statistically superior to wild strains (2.71 ± 0.28 g DHA L −1 per day; P < 0.05) and were comparable with genetically modified strains (4.47 ± 0.87 g DHA L −1 per day; P = 0.81). Glucose (3.85 ± 0.3 g DHA L −1 per day) and glycerol (3.94 ± 1.1 g DHA L −1 per day) yielded the highest productivities among the carbon sources, with no significant difference between them ( P > 0.1). Continuous cultivation systems (7.25 ± 1.07 g DHA L −1 per day) and fed‐batch methods (4.44 ± 0.34 g DHA L −1 per day) yielded higher productivity than batch fermentation ( P < 0.005). The meta‐analysis indicates that combining advanced strains and fermentation systems increase DHA productivity.