https://j.people.com.cn/n3/2026/0211/c95952-20425045.html

https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2405805X25000882

Squalene is a natural lipid with antioxidant and moisturising properties. It is used in vaccine adjuvants, pharmaceuticals, cosmetics, and health foods.

A research team led by Professor Wei Dongzhi of East China University of Science and Technology (ECUST) used advanced biomanufacturing technology to prepare high-purity squalene through E. coli fermentation. Yields exceeded 1 g/L, and the production volume per 20-ton fermenter is equivalent to the amount of squalene extracted from 3,000 sharks, significantly increasing production capacity and completely eliminating dependence on marine organisms.

The groundbreaking technology behind this is a multi-enzyme cooperative catalytic system. Through unique multi-organelle engineering, the team “fixed” synthetic reactions within specific organelles, further concentrating the reaction space and dramatically increasing reaction efficiency.