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Nabila DS, Chan R, Syamsuri RRP, Nurlilasari P, Wan-Mohtar WAAQI, Ozturk AB, Rossiana N, Doni F. Biobutanol production from underutilized substrates using Clostridium: Unlocking untapped potential for sustainable energy development. CURRENT RESEARCH IN MICROBIAL SCIENCES 2024; 7:100250. [PMID: 38974669 PMCID: PMC11225672 DOI: 10.1016/j.crmicr.2024.100250] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 07/09/2024] Open
Abstract
The increasing demand for sustainable energy has brought biobutanol as a potential substitute for fossil fuels. The Clostridium genus is deemed essential for biobutanol synthesis due to its capability to utilize various substrates. However, challenges in maintaining fermentation continuity and achieving commercialization persist due to existing barriers, including butanol toxicity to Clostridium, low substrate utilization rates, and high production costs. Proper substrate selection significantly impacts fermentation efficiency, final product quality, and economic feasibility in Clostridium biobutanol production. This review examines underutilized substrates for biobutanol production by Clostridium, which offer opportunities for environmental sustainability and a green economy. Extensive research on Clostridium, focusing on strain development and genetic engineering, is essential to enhance biobutanol production. Additionally, critical suggestions for optimizing substrate selection to enhance Clostridium biobutanol production efficiency are also provided in this review. In the future, cost reduction and advancements in biotechnology may make biobutanol a viable alternative to fossil fuels.
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Affiliation(s)
- Devina Syifa Nabila
- Department of Biology, Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences, Universitas Padjadjaran, Jatinangor, West Java 45363, Indonesia
| | - Rosamond Chan
- Department of Biology, Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences, Universitas Padjadjaran, Jatinangor, West Java 45363, Indonesia
| | | | - Puspita Nurlilasari
- Department of Agro-industrial Technology, Faculty of Agro-industrial Technology, Universitas Padjadjaran, Jatinangor, West Java 45363, Indonesia
| | - Wan Abd Al Qadr Imad Wan-Mohtar
- Functional Omics and Bioprocess Development Laboratory, Institute of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Science, Universiti Malaya, Kuala Lumpur 50603, Malaysia
| | - Abdullah Bilal Ozturk
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Faculty of Chemical and Metallurgical Engineering, Yildiz Technical University, Esenler, Istanbul 34220, Türkiye
| | - Nia Rossiana
- Department of Biology, Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences, Universitas Padjadjaran, Jatinangor, West Java 45363, Indonesia
| | - Febri Doni
- Department of Biology, Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences, Universitas Padjadjaran, Jatinangor, West Java 45363, Indonesia
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Lanzillo F, Pisacane S, Raganati F, Russo ME, Salatino P, Marzocchella A. Optimization of CO fermentation by Clostridium carboxidivorans in batch reactors: Effects of the medium composition. Anaerobe 2024; 87:102855. [PMID: 38614289 DOI: 10.1016/j.anaerobe.2024.102855] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/10/2023] [Revised: 01/15/2024] [Accepted: 04/05/2024] [Indexed: 04/15/2024]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES The objective of this study was to investigate the effects of medium composition on CO fermentation by Clostridium carboxidivorans. The focus was to reduce the medium cost preserving acceptable levels of solvent production. METHODS Yeast extract (YE) concentration was set in the range of 0-3 g/L. Different reducing agents were investigated, including cysteine-HCl 0.6 g/L, pure cysteine 0.6 g/L, sodium sulphide (Na2S) 0.6 g/L, cysteine-sodium sulphide 0.6 g/L and cysteine-sodium sulphide 0.72 g/L. The concentration of the metal solution was decreased down to 25 % of the standard value. Fermentation tests were also carried out with and without tungsten or selenium. RESULTS The results demonstrated that under optimized conditions, namely yeast extract (YE) concentration set at 1 g/L, pure cysteine as the reducing agent and trace metal concentration reduced to 75 % of the standard value, reasonable solvent production was achieved in less than 150 h. Under these operating conditions, the production levels were found to be 1.39 g/L of ethanol and 0.27 g/L of butanol. Furthermore, the study revealed that selenium was not necessary for C. carboxidivorans fermentation, whereas the presence of tungsten played a crucial role in both cell growth and solvent production. CONCLUSIONS The optimization of the medium composition in CO fermentation by Clostridium carboxidivorans is crucial for cost-effective solvent production. Tuning the yeast extract (YE) concentration, using pure cysteine as the reducing agent and reducing trace metal concentration contribute to reasonable solvent production within a relatively short fermentation period. Tungsten is essential for cell growth and solvent production, while selenium is not required.
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Affiliation(s)
- F Lanzillo
- Department of Chemical, Materials and Production Engineering-Università degli Studi di Napoli Federico II, P.le V. Tecchio 80, 80125 Napoli Italy
| | - S Pisacane
- Department of Chemical, Materials and Production Engineering-Università degli Studi di Napoli Federico II, P.le V. Tecchio 80, 80125 Napoli Italy
| | - F Raganati
- Department of Chemical, Materials and Production Engineering-Università degli Studi di Napoli Federico II, P.le V. Tecchio 80, 80125 Napoli Italy.
| | - M E Russo
- Istituto di Scienze e Tecnologie per l'Energia e la Mobilità Sostenibili - Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche, P.le V. Tecchio 80, 80125 Napoli Italy
| | - P Salatino
- Department of Chemical, Materials and Production Engineering-Università degli Studi di Napoli Federico II, P.le V. Tecchio 80, 80125 Napoli Italy
| | - A Marzocchella
- Department of Chemical, Materials and Production Engineering-Università degli Studi di Napoli Federico II, P.le V. Tecchio 80, 80125 Napoli Italy
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Liu Y, Chen L, Duan Y, Li R, Yang Z, Liu S, Li G. Recent progress and prospects for chain elongation of transforming biomass waste into medium-chain fatty acids. CHEMOSPHERE 2024; 355:141823. [PMID: 38552798 DOI: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2024.141823] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/04/2024] [Revised: 03/18/2024] [Accepted: 03/26/2024] [Indexed: 04/06/2024]
Abstract
Chain elongation technology utilises microorganisms in anaerobic digestion to transform waste biomass into medium-chain fatty acids that have greater economic value. This innovative technology expands upon traditional anaerobic digestion methods, requiring abundant substrates that serve as electron donors and acceptors, and inoculating microorganisms with chain elongation functions. While this process may result in the production of by-products and elicit competitive responses, toxicity suppression of microorganisms by substrates and products remains a significant obstacle to the industrialisation of chain elongation technology. This study provides a comprehensive overview of existing research on widely employed electron donors and their synthetic reactions, competitive reactions, inoculum selection, toxicity inhibition of substrates and products, and increased chain elongation approaches. Additionally, it presents actionable recommendations for future research and development endeavours in this domain, intending to inspire and guide researchers in advancing the frontiers of chain elongation technology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuhao Liu
- School of Environmental and Municipal Engineering, North China University of Water Resources and Electric Power, Zhengzhou, 450046, Henan Province, China.
| | - Long Chen
- School of Environmental and Municipal Engineering, North China University of Water Resources and Electric Power, Zhengzhou, 450046, Henan Province, China
| | - Yacong Duan
- School of Environmental and Municipal Engineering, North China University of Water Resources and Electric Power, Zhengzhou, 450046, Henan Province, China
| | - Ruihua Li
- School of Environmental and Municipal Engineering, North China University of Water Resources and Electric Power, Zhengzhou, 450046, Henan Province, China
| | - Ziyan Yang
- School of Environmental and Municipal Engineering, North China University of Water Resources and Electric Power, Zhengzhou, 450046, Henan Province, China
| | - Shuli Liu
- School of Environmental and Municipal Engineering, North China University of Water Resources and Electric Power, Zhengzhou, 450046, Henan Province, China
| | - Guoting Li
- School of Environmental and Municipal Engineering, North China University of Water Resources and Electric Power, Zhengzhou, 450046, Henan Province, China
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Allaart MT, Korkontzelos C, Sousa DZ, Kleerebezem R. A novel experimental method to determine substrate uptake kinetics of gaseous substrates applied to the carbon monoxide-fermenting Clostridium autoethanogenum. Biotechnol Bioeng 2024; 121:1325-1335. [PMID: 38265153 DOI: 10.1002/bit.28652] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/24/2023] [Revised: 12/20/2023] [Accepted: 12/22/2023] [Indexed: 01/25/2024]
Abstract
Syngas fermentation has gained momentum over the last decades. The cost-efficient design of industrial-scale bioprocesses is highly dependent on quantitative microbial growth data. Kinetic and stoichiometric models for syngas-converting microbes exist, but accurate experimental validation of the derived parameters is lacking. Here, we describe a novel experimental approach for measuring substrate uptake kinetics of gas-fermenting microbes using the model microorganism Clostridium autoethanogenum. One-hour disturbances of a steady-state chemostat bioreactor with increased CO partial pressures (up to 1.2 bar) allowed for measurement of biomass-specific CO uptake- and CO2 production rates (q CO ${q}_{{CO}}$ ,q CO 2 ${q}_{{{CO}}_{2}}$ ) using off-gas analysis. At a pCO of 1.2 bar, aq CO ${q}_{{CO}}$ of -119 ± 1 mmol g-1 X h-1 was measured. This value is 1.8-3.5-fold higher than previously reported experimental and kinetic modeling results for syngas fermenters. Analysis of the catabolic flux distribution reveals a metabolic shift towards ethanol production at the expense of acetate at pCO ≥ $\ge $ 0.6 atm, likely to be mediated by acetate availability and cellular redox state. We characterized this metabolic shift as acetogenic overflow metabolism. These results provide key mechanistic understanding of the factors steering the product spectrum of CO fermentation in C. autoethanogenum and emphasize the importance of dedicated experimental validation of kinetic parameters.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Diana Z Sousa
- Laboratory of Microbiology, Wageningen University & Research, Wageningen, Netherlands
| | - Robbert Kleerebezem
- Department of Biotechnology, Delft University of Technology, Delft, The Netherlands
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Thunuguntla R, Atiyeh HK, Zhang H, Ezeji TC, Tanner RS. Biochar facilitated Biological CO 2 conversion to C2-C6 alcohols and fatty acids. BIORESOURCE TECHNOLOGY 2024; 397:130464. [PMID: 38401811 DOI: 10.1016/j.biortech.2024.130464] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/21/2023] [Revised: 02/03/2024] [Accepted: 02/16/2024] [Indexed: 02/26/2024]
Abstract
Microbial CO2 utilization reduces the carbon footprint, providing economic potential. Biochar, rich in minerals and trace metals, can enhance microbial activity. This study investigates poultry litter and switchgrass biochars produced at 350 and 700 °C (PLB350, PLB700, SGB350 and SGB700, respectively) affect CO2 conversion to C2-C6 alcohols and acids by Clostridium muellerianum P21, C. ragsdalei P11 and C. carboxidivorans P7. Fermentations were in 250-mL bottles containing H2:CO2:N2 (60:20:20) shaken at 125 rpm and 37 °C. SGB350 increased alcohol titers by 1.1-2.1 fold, and PLB350 enhanced acid concentrations by 1.2-1.7 fold compared to the control without biochar. About 2.0-3.3 fold more ethanol was formed by strain P11 compared to strains P7 and P21 with SGB350. However, strain P21 produced 2.4-fold more butanol than strain P7 with SGB350, including unique hexanol production. These results highlight the potential of biochar in enhancing C2-C6 alcohol production from CO2, thereby boosting process feasibility.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rahul Thunuguntla
- Biosystems and Agricultural Engineering, Oklahoma State University, Stillwater, OK, USA
| | - Hasan K Atiyeh
- Biosystems and Agricultural Engineering, Oklahoma State University, Stillwater, OK, USA.
| | - Hailin Zhang
- Plant and Soil Sciences, Oklahoma State University, Stillwater, OK, USA
| | - Thaddeus C Ezeji
- Department of Animal Science, The Ohio State University, Wooster, OH, USA; Department of Food, Agricultural, and Biological Engineering, The Ohio State University, Wooster, OH, USA
| | - Ralph S Tanner
- Department of Microbiology and Plant Biology, University of Oklahoma, Norman, OK, USA
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Shi X, Wei W, Wu L, Huang Y, Ni BJ. Biosynthesis mechanisms of medium-chain carboxylic acids and alcohols in anaerobic microalgae fermentation regulated by pH conditions. Appl Environ Microbiol 2024; 90:e0125023. [PMID: 38112479 PMCID: PMC10807445 DOI: 10.1128/aem.01250-23] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/19/2023] [Accepted: 11/16/2023] [Indexed: 12/21/2023] Open
Abstract
Valorization of microalgae into high-value products and drop-in chemicals can reduce our dependence on non-renewable fossil fuels in an environmentally sustainable way. Among the valuable products, medium-chain carboxylic acids (MCCAs) and alcohols are attractive building blocks as fuel precursors. However, the biosynthetic mechanisms of MCCAs and alcohols in anaerobic microalgae fermentation and the regulating role of pH on the microbial structure and metabolism interaction among different functional groups have never been documented. In this work, we systematically investigated the roles of pH (5, 7, and 10) on the production of MCCAs and alcohols in anaerobic microalgae fermentation. The gene-centric and genome-centric metagenomes were employed to uncover the dynamics and metabolic network of the key players in the microbial communities. The results indicated that the pH significantly changed the product spectrum. The maximum production rate of alcohol was obtained at pH 5, while pH 7 was more beneficial for MCCA production. Metagenomic analysis reveals that this differential performance under different pH is attributed to the transformation of microbial guild and metabolism regulated by pH. The composition of various functional groups for MCCA and alcohol production also varies at different pH levels. Finally, a metabolic network was proposed to reveal the microbial interactions at different pH levels and thus provide insights into bioconversion of microalgae to high-value biofuels.IMPORTANCECarboxylate platforms encompass a biosynthesis process involving a mixed and undefined culture, enabling the conversion of microalgae, rich in carbohydrates and protein, into valuable fuels and mitigating the risks associated with algae blooms. However, there is little known about the effects of pH on the metabolic pathways of chain elongation and alcohol production in anaerobic microalgae fermentation. Moreover, convoluted and interdependent microbial interactions encumber efforts to characterize how organics and electrons flow among microbiome members. In this work, we compared metabolic differences among three different pH levels (5, 7, and 10) in anaerobic microalgae fermentation. In addition, genome-centric metagenomic analysis was conducted to reveal the microbial interaction for medium-chain carboxylic acid and alcohol production.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xingdong Shi
- Centre for Technology in Water and Wastewater, School of Civil and Environmental Engineering, University of Technology Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Wei Wei
- Centre for Technology in Water and Wastewater, School of Civil and Environmental Engineering, University of Technology Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Lan Wu
- Centre for Technology in Water and Wastewater, School of Civil and Environmental Engineering, University of Technology Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Yuhan Huang
- Centre for Technology in Water and Wastewater, School of Civil and Environmental Engineering, University of Technology Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Bing-Jie Ni
- Centre for Technology in Water and Wastewater, School of Civil and Environmental Engineering, University of Technology Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
- School of Civil and Environmental Engineering, The University of New South Wales, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
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7
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Flaiz M, Poehlein A, Wilhelm W, Mook A, Daniel R, Dürre P, Bengelsdorf FR. Refining and illuminating acetogenic Eubacterium strains for reclassification and metabolic engineering. Microb Cell Fact 2024; 23:24. [PMID: 38233843 PMCID: PMC10795377 DOI: 10.1186/s12934-024-02301-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/27/2023] [Accepted: 01/09/2024] [Indexed: 01/19/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The genus Eubacterium is quite diverse and includes several acetogenic strains capable of fermenting C1-substrates into valuable products. Especially, Eubacterium limosum and closely related strains attract attention not only for their capability to ferment C1 gases and liquids, but also due to their ability to produce butyrate. Apart from its well-elucidated metabolism, E. limosum is also genetically accessible, which makes it an interesting candidate to be an industrial biocatalyst. RESULTS In this study, we examined genomic, phylogenetic, and physiologic features of E. limosum and the closest related species E. callanderi as well as E. maltosivorans. We sequenced the genomes of the six Eubacterium strains 'FD' (DSM 3662T), 'Marburg' (DSM 3468), '2A' (DSM 2593), '11A' (DSM 2594), 'G14' (DSM 107592), and '32' (DSM 20517) and subsequently compared these with previously available genomes of the E. limosum type strain (DSM 20543T) as well as the strains 'B2', 'KIST612', 'YI' (DSM 105863T), and 'SA11'. This comparison revealed a close relationship between all eleven Eubacterium strains, forming three distinct clades: E. limosum, E. callanderi, and E. maltosivorans. Moreover, we identified the gene clusters responsible for methanol utilization as well as genes mediating chain elongation in all analyzed strains. Subsequent growth experiments revealed that strains of all three clades can convert methanol and produce acetate, butyrate, and hexanoate via reverse β-oxidation. Additionally, we used a harmonized electroporation protocol and successfully transformed eight of these Eubacterium strains to enable recombinant plasmid-based expression of the gene encoding the fluorescence-activating and absorption shifting tag (FAST). Engineered Eubacterium strains were verified regarding their FAST-mediated fluorescence at a single-cell level using a flow cytometry approach. Eventually, strains 'FD' (DSM 3662T), '2A' (DSM 2593), '11A' (DSM 2594), and '32' (DSM 20517) were genetically engineered for the first time. CONCLUSION Strains of E. limosum, E. callanderi, and E. maltosivorans are outstanding candidates as biocatalysts for anaerobic C1-substrate conversion into valuable biocommodities. A large variety of strains is genetically accessible using a harmonized electroporation protocol, and FAST can serve as a reliable fluorescent reporter protein to characterize genetically engineered cells. In total eleven strains have been assigned to distinct clades, providing a clear and updated classification. Thus, the description of respective Eubacterium species has been emended, improved, aligned, and is requested to be implemented in respective databases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maximilian Flaiz
- Laboratory of Microbiology, Wageningen University and Research, Wageningen, The Netherlands.
- Institute of Microbiology and Biotechnology, University of Ulm, Ulm, Germany.
| | - Anja Poehlein
- Genomic and Applied Microbiology & Göttingen Genomics Laboratory, Georg-August University, Göttingen, Germany
| | - Wiebke Wilhelm
- Institute of Microbiology and Biotechnology, University of Ulm, Ulm, Germany
| | - Alexander Mook
- Institute of Molecular Biology and Biotechnology of Prokaryotes, University of Ulm, Ulm, Germany
| | - Rolf Daniel
- Genomic and Applied Microbiology & Göttingen Genomics Laboratory, Georg-August University, Göttingen, Germany
| | - Peter Dürre
- Institute of Microbiology and Biotechnology, University of Ulm, Ulm, Germany
| | - Frank R Bengelsdorf
- Institute of Molecular Biology and Biotechnology of Prokaryotes, University of Ulm, Ulm, Germany.
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Höfele F, Schoch T, Oberlies C, Dürre P. Heterologous Production of Isopropanol Using Metabolically Engineered Acetobacterium woodii Strains. Bioengineering (Basel) 2023; 10:1381. [PMID: 38135972 PMCID: PMC10741115 DOI: 10.3390/bioengineering10121381] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/07/2023] [Revised: 11/23/2023] [Accepted: 11/27/2023] [Indexed: 12/24/2023] Open
Abstract
The depletion of fossil fuel resources and the CO2 emissions coupled with petroleum-based industrial processes present a relevant issue for the whole of society. An alternative to the fossil-based production of chemicals is microbial fermentation using acetogens. Acetogenic bacteria are able to metabolize CO or CO2 (+H2) via the Wood-Ljungdahl pathway. As isopropanol is widely used in a variety of industrial branches, it is advantageous to find a fossil-independent production process. In this study, Acetobacterium woodii was employed to produce isopropanol via plasmid-based expression of the enzymes thiolase A, CoA-transferase, acetoacetate decarboxylase and secondary alcohol dehydrogenase. An examination of the enzymes originating from different organisms led to a maximum isopropanol production of 5.64 ± 1.08 mM using CO2 + H2 as the carbon and energy source. To this end, the genes thlA (encoding thiolase A) and ctfA/ctfB (encoding CoA-transferase) of Clostridium scatologenes, adc (encoding acetoacetate decarboxylase) originating from C. acetobutylicum and sadH (encoding secondary alcohol dehydrogenase) of C. beijerinckii DSM 6423 were employed. Since bottlenecks in the isopropanol production pathway are known, optimization of the strain was investigated, resulting in a 2.5-fold increase in isopropanol concentration.
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Affiliation(s)
- Franziska Höfele
- Institute of Molecular Biology and Biotechnology of Prokaryotes, Ulm University, 89081 Ulm, Germany
| | - Teresa Schoch
- Institute of Microbiology and Biotechnology, Ulm University, 89081 Ulm, Germany (C.O.); (P.D.)
| | - Catarina Oberlies
- Institute of Microbiology and Biotechnology, Ulm University, 89081 Ulm, Germany (C.O.); (P.D.)
| | - Peter Dürre
- Institute of Microbiology and Biotechnology, Ulm University, 89081 Ulm, Germany (C.O.); (P.D.)
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Feliu-Paradeda L, Puig S, Bañeras L. Design and validation of a multiplex PCR method for the simultaneous quantification of Clostridium acetobutylicum, Clostridium carboxidivorans and Clostridium cellulovorans. Sci Rep 2023; 13:20073. [PMID: 37973932 PMCID: PMC10654501 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-023-47007-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/06/2023] [Accepted: 11/07/2023] [Indexed: 11/19/2023] Open
Abstract
Co-cultures of clostridia with distinct physiological properties have emerged as an alternative to increase the production of butanol and other added-value compounds from biomass. The optimal performance of mixed tandem cultures may depend on the stability and fitness of each species in the consortium, making the development of specific quantification methods to separate their members crucial. In this study, we developed and tested a multiplex qPCR method targeting the 16S rRNA gene for the simultaneous quantification of Clostridium acetobutylicum, Clostridium carboxidivorans and Clostridium cellulovorans in co-cultures. Designed primer pairs and probes could specifically quantify the three Clostridium species with no cross-reactions thus allowing significant changes in their growth kinetics in the consortia to be detected and correlated with productivity. The method was used to test a suitable medium composition for simultaneous growth of the three species. We show that higher alcohol productions were obtained when combining C. carboxidivorans and C. acetobutylicum compared to individual cultures, and further improved (> 90%) in the triplet consortium. Altogether, the methodology could be applied to fermentation processes targeting butanol productions from lignocellulosic feedstocks with a higher substrate conversion efficiency.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laura Feliu-Paradeda
- Molecular Microbial Ecology Group, Institute of Aquatic Ecology, University of Girona, Carrer Maria Aurèlia Capmany 40, 17003, Girona, Spain
| | - Sebastià Puig
- LEQUiA, Institute of the Environment, University of Girona, Carrer Maria Aurèlia Capmany 69, 17003, Girona, Spain
| | - Lluis Bañeras
- Molecular Microbial Ecology Group, Institute of Aquatic Ecology, University of Girona, Carrer Maria Aurèlia Capmany 40, 17003, Girona, Spain.
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10
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Khaonuan S, Jariyaboon R, Usmanbaha N, Cheirsilp B, Birkeland NK, Kongjan P. Potential of butanol production from Thailand marine macroalgae using Clostridium beijerinckii ATCC 10132-based ABE fermentation. Biotechnol J 2023; 18:e2300026. [PMID: 37339510 DOI: 10.1002/biot.202300026] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/18/2023] [Revised: 05/31/2023] [Accepted: 06/15/2023] [Indexed: 06/22/2023]
Abstract
The economical bio-butanol-based fermentation process is mainly limited by the high price of first-generation biomass, which is an intensive cost for the pretreatment of second-generation biomass. As third-generation biomass, marine macroalgae could be potentially advantageous for conversion to clean and renewable bio-butanol through acetone-butanol-ethanol (ABE) fermentation. In this study, butanol production from three macroalgae species (Gracilaria tenuistipitata, Ulva intestinalis, and Rhizoclonium sp.) by Clostridium beijerinckii ATCC 10132 was assessed comparatively. The enriched C beijerinckii ATCC 10132 inoculum produced a high butanol concentration of 14.07 g L-1 using 60 g L-1 of glucose. Among the three marine seaweed species, G. tenuistipitata exhibited the highest potential for butanol production (1.38 g L-1 ). Under the 16 conditions designed using the Taguchi method for low-temperature hydrothermal pretreatment (HTP) of G. tenuistipitata, the maximum reducing sugar yield rate of 57.6% and ABE yield of 19.87% were achieved at a solid to liquid (S/L) ratio of 120, temperature of 110°C, and holding time of 10 min (Severity factor, R0 1.29). In addition, pretreated G. tenuistipitata could be converted to 3.1 g L-1 of butanol using low-HTP at an S/L ratio of 50 g L-1 , temperature of 80°C (R0 0.11), and holding time of 5 min.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sireethorn Khaonuan
- Energy Technology Program, Faculty of Engineering, Prince of Songkla University, Songkhla, Thailand
- Bio-Mass Conversion to Energy and Chemicals (Bio-Mec) Research Unit, Faculty of Science and Technology, Prince of Songkla University, Pattani, Thailand
| | - Rattana Jariyaboon
- Bio-Mass Conversion to Energy and Chemicals (Bio-Mec) Research Unit, Faculty of Science and Technology, Prince of Songkla University, Pattani, Thailand
- Department of Science, Faculty of Science and Technology, Prince of Songkla University, Pattani, Thailand
| | - Nikannapas Usmanbaha
- Energy Technology Program, Faculty of Engineering, Prince of Songkla University, Songkhla, Thailand
- Bio-Mass Conversion to Energy and Chemicals (Bio-Mec) Research Unit, Faculty of Science and Technology, Prince of Songkla University, Pattani, Thailand
| | - Benjamas Cheirsilp
- Biotechnology for Bioresource Utilization Laboratory, Department of Industrial Biotechnology, Faculty of Agro-Industry, Prince of Songkla University, Hat-Yai, Songkhla, Thailand
| | | | - Prawit Kongjan
- Bio-Mass Conversion to Energy and Chemicals (Bio-Mec) Research Unit, Faculty of Science and Technology, Prince of Songkla University, Pattani, Thailand
- Department of Science, Faculty of Science and Technology, Prince of Songkla University, Pattani, Thailand
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11
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Dymond MK. A Membrane Biophysics Perspective on the Mechanism of Alcohol Toxicity. Chem Res Toxicol 2023. [PMID: 37186813 DOI: 10.1021/acs.chemrestox.3c00039] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/17/2023]
Abstract
Motivations for understanding the underlying mechanisms of alcohol toxicity range from economical to toxicological and clinical. On the one hand, acute alcohol toxicity limits biofuel yields, and on the other hand, acute alcohol toxicity provides a vital defense mechanism to prevent the spread of disease. Herein the role that stored curvature elastic energy (SCE) in biological membranes might play in alcohol toxicity is discussed, for both short and long-chain alcohols. Structure-toxicity relationships for alcohols ranging from methanol to hexadecanol are collated, and estimates of alcohol toxicity per alcohol molecule in the cell membrane are made. The latter reveal a minimum toxicity value per molecule around butanol before alcohol toxicity per molecule increases to a maximum around decanol and subsequently decreases again. The impact of alcohol molecules on the lamellar to inverse hexagonal phase transition temperature (TH) is then presented and used as a metric to assess the impact of alcohol molecules on SCE. This approach suggests the nonmonotonic relationship between alcohol toxicity and chain length is consistent with SCE being a target of alcohol toxicity. Finally, in vivo evidence for SCE-driven adaptations to alcohol toxicity in the literature are discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marcus K Dymond
- Chemistry Research and Enterprise Group, University of Brighton, Huxley Building, Lewes Road, Brighton BN2 4GJ, United Kingdom
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12
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Thulluru LP, Ghangrekar MM, Chowdhury S. Progress and perspectives on microbial electrosynthesis for valorisation of CO 2 into value-added products. JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT 2023; 332:117323. [PMID: 36716542 DOI: 10.1016/j.jenvman.2023.117323] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/15/2022] [Revised: 01/06/2023] [Accepted: 01/15/2023] [Indexed: 06/18/2023]
Abstract
Microbial electrosynthesis (MES) is a neoteric technology that facilitates biocatalysed synthesis of organic compounds with the aid of homoacetogenic bacteria, while feeding CO2 as an inorganic carbon source. Operating MES with surplus renewable electricity further enhances the sustainability of this innovative bioelectrochemical system (BES). However, several lacunae exist in the domain knowledge, stunting the widespread application of MES. Despite significant progress in this area over the past decade, the product yield efficiency is not on par with other contemporary technologies. This bottleneck can be overcome by adopting a holistic approach, i.e., applying innovative and integrated solutions to ensure a robust MES operation. Further, the widespread deployment of MES exclusively relies on its ability to mature a sessile biofilm over a biocompatible electrode, while offering minimal charge transfer resistance. Additionally, operating MES preferably at H2-generating reduction potential and valorising industrial off-gas as carbon substrate is crucial to accomplish economic sustainability. In light of the aforementioned, this review collates the latest progress in the design and development of MES-centred systems for valorisation of CO2 into value-added products. Specifically, it highlights the significance of inoculum pre-treatment for promoting biocatalytic activity and biofilm growth on the cathodic surface. In addition, it summarizes the diverse materials that are commonly used as electrodes in MES, with an emphasis on the importance of inexpensive, robust, and biocompatible electrode materials for the practical application of MES technology. Further, the review presents insights into media conditions, operational factors, and reactor configurations that affect the overall performance of MES process. Finally, the product range of MES, downstream processing requirements, and integration of MES with other environmental remediation technologies are also discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lakshmi Pathi Thulluru
- School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Indian Institute of Technology Kharagpur, Kharagpur, West Bengal, 721302, India
| | - Makarand M Ghangrekar
- Department of Civil Engineering, Indian Institute of Technology Kharagpur, Kharagpur, West Bengal, 721302, India
| | - Shamik Chowdhury
- School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Indian Institute of Technology Kharagpur, Kharagpur, West Bengal, 721302, India.
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13
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Fernández-Blanco C, Robles-Iglesias R, Naveira-Pazos C, Veiga MC, Kennes C. Production of biofuels from C 1 -gases with Clostridium and related bacteria-Recent advances. Microb Biotechnol 2023; 16:726-741. [PMID: 36661185 PMCID: PMC10034633 DOI: 10.1111/1751-7915.14220] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/01/2022] [Revised: 01/02/2023] [Accepted: 01/07/2023] [Indexed: 01/21/2023] Open
Abstract
Clostridium spp. are suitable for the bioconversion of C1 -gases (e.g., CO2 , CO and syngas) into different bioproducts. These products can be used as biofuels and are reviewed here, focusing on ethanol, butanol and hexanol, mainly. The production of higher alcohols (e.g., butanol and hexanol) has hardly been reviewed. Parameters affecting the optimization of the bioconversion process and bioreactor performance are addressed as well as the pathways involved in these bioconversions. New aspects, such as mixotrophy and sugar versus gas fermentation, are also reviewed. In addition, Clostridia can also produce higher alcohols from the integration of the Wood-Ljungdahl pathway and the reverse ß-oxidation pathway, which has also not yet been comprehensively reviewed. In the latter process, the acetogen uses the reducing power of CO/syngas to reduce C4 or C6 fatty acids, previously produced by a chain elongating microorganism (commonly Clostridium kluyveri), into the corresponding bioalcohol.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carla Fernández-Blanco
- Chemical Engineering Laboratory, Faculty of Sciences and Center for Advanced Scientific Research-Centro de Investigaciones Científicas Avanzadas (CICA), BIOENGIN Group, University of La Coruña, La Coruña, Spain
| | - Raúl Robles-Iglesias
- Chemical Engineering Laboratory, Faculty of Sciences and Center for Advanced Scientific Research-Centro de Investigaciones Científicas Avanzadas (CICA), BIOENGIN Group, University of La Coruña, La Coruña, Spain
| | - Cecilia Naveira-Pazos
- Chemical Engineering Laboratory, Faculty of Sciences and Center for Advanced Scientific Research-Centro de Investigaciones Científicas Avanzadas (CICA), BIOENGIN Group, University of La Coruña, La Coruña, Spain
| | - María C Veiga
- Chemical Engineering Laboratory, Faculty of Sciences and Center for Advanced Scientific Research-Centro de Investigaciones Científicas Avanzadas (CICA), BIOENGIN Group, University of La Coruña, La Coruña, Spain
| | - Christian Kennes
- Chemical Engineering Laboratory, Faculty of Sciences and Center for Advanced Scientific Research-Centro de Investigaciones Científicas Avanzadas (CICA), BIOENGIN Group, University of La Coruña, La Coruña, Spain
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Allaart MT, Diender M, Sousa DZ, Kleerebezem R. Overflow metabolism at the thermodynamic limit of life: How carboxydotrophic acetogens mitigate carbon monoxide toxicity. Microb Biotechnol 2023; 16:697-705. [PMID: 36632026 PMCID: PMC10034630 DOI: 10.1111/1751-7915.14212] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/14/2022] [Revised: 11/29/2022] [Accepted: 01/01/2023] [Indexed: 01/13/2023] Open
Abstract
Carboxydotrophic metabolism is gaining interest due to its applications in gas fermentation technology, enabling the conversion of carbon monoxide to fuels and commodities. Acetogenic carboxydotrophs play a central role in current gas fermentation processes. In contrast to other energy-rich microbial substrates, CO is highly toxic, which makes it a challenging substrate to utilize. Instantaneous scavenging of CO upon entering the cell is required to mitigate its toxicity. Experiments conducted with Clostridium autoethanogenum at different biomass-specific growth rates show that elevated ethanol production occurs at increasing growth rates. The increased allocation of electrons towards ethanol at higher growth rates strongly suggests that C. autoethanogenum employs a form of overflow metabolism to cope with high dissolved CO concentrations. We argue that this overflow branch enables acetogens to efficiently use CO at highly variable substrate influxes by increasing the conversion rate almost instantaneously when required to remove toxic substrate and promote growth. In this perspective, we will address the case study of C. autoethanogenum grown solely on CO and syngas mixtures to assess how it employs acetate reduction to ethanol as a form of overflow metabolism.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Martijn Diender
- Laboratory of Microbiology, Wageningen University & Research, Wageningen, The Netherlands
| | - Diana Z Sousa
- Laboratory of Microbiology, Wageningen University & Research, Wageningen, The Netherlands
| | - Robbert Kleerebezem
- Department of Biotechnology, Delft University of Technology, Delft, The Netherlands
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15
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Noroozi K, Jarboe LR. Strategic nutrient sourcing for biomanufacturing intensification. J Ind Microbiol Biotechnol 2023; 50:kuad011. [PMID: 37245065 PMCID: PMC10549214 DOI: 10.1093/jimb/kuad011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/04/2023] [Accepted: 05/20/2023] [Indexed: 05/29/2023]
Abstract
The successful design of economically viable bioprocesses can help to abate global dependence on petroleum, increase supply chain resilience, and add value to agriculture. Specifically, bioprocessing provides the opportunity to replace petrochemical production methods with biological methods and to develop novel bioproducts. Even though a vast range of chemicals can be biomanufactured, the constraints on economic viability, especially while competing with petrochemicals, are severe. There have been extensive gains in our ability to engineer microbes for improved production metrics and utilization of target carbon sources. The impact of growth medium composition on process cost and organism performance receives less attention in the literature than organism engineering efforts, with media optimization often being performed in proprietary settings. The widespread use of corn steep liquor as a nutrient source demonstrates the viability and importance of "waste" streams in biomanufacturing. There are other promising waste streams that can be used to increase the sustainability of biomanufacturing, such as the use of urea instead of fossil fuel-intensive ammonia and the use of struvite instead of contributing to the depletion of phosphate reserves. In this review, we discuss several process-specific optimizations of micronutrients that increased product titers by twofold or more. This practice of deliberate and thoughtful sourcing and adjustment of nutrients can substantially impact process metrics. Yet the mechanisms are rarely explored, making it difficult to generalize the results to other processes. In this review, we will discuss examples of nutrient sourcing and adjustment as a means of process improvement. ONE-SENTENCE SUMMARY The potential impact of nutrient adjustments on bioprocess performance, economics, and waste valorization is undervalued and largely undercharacterized.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kimia Noroozi
- Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, Iowa State University, Ames, IA 50011, USA
| | - Laura R Jarboe
- Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, Iowa State University, Ames, IA 50011, USA
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Yang Y, Cao W, Shen F, Liu Z, Qin L, Liang X, Wan Y. L-Cys-Assisted Conversion of H 2/CO 2 to Biochemicals Using Clostridium ljungdahlii. Appl Biochem Biotechnol 2023; 195:844-860. [PMID: 36214953 DOI: 10.1007/s12010-022-04174-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 09/28/2022] [Indexed: 01/24/2023]
Abstract
Carbon fixation and conversion based on Clostridium ljungdahlii have great potential for the sustainable production of biochemicals (i.e., 2,3-butanediol, acetic acid, and ethanol). Here, the effects of reducing agents on the production of biochemicals from H2/CO2 using C. ljungdahlii were studied. It was found that the element S and reducing power could significantly affect the production of biochemicals, and cysteine (Cys) was better than sodium sulfide for the production of biochemicals, especially for the production of 2,3-butanediol. Moreover, comparing to the control (i.e., without the addition of Cys), the gene expression profiles indicated that the fdh and adhE1 were significantly upregulated with the addition of Cys, which involved in pathways of the CO2 fixation and ethanol production. Therefore, the irreplaceability of Cys on the production of biochemicals was both caused by its utilization as a reducing agent and its effect on the metabolic pathway. Finally, compared to the control, the production of 2,3-butanediol was increased by 2.17 times under the addition of 1.7 g/L Cys.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuling Yang
- College of Light Industry and Food Engineering, Guangxi University, Nanning, 530004, China.,State Key Laboratory of Biochemical Engineering, Institute of Process Engineering, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100190, China
| | - Weifeng Cao
- State Key Laboratory of Biochemical Engineering, Institute of Process Engineering, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100190, China. .,School of Chemical Engineering, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, China.
| | - Fei Shen
- State Key Laboratory of Biochemical Engineering, Institute of Process Engineering, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100190, China.,School of Chemical Engineering, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, China
| | - Zhiqian Liu
- College of Light Industry and Food Engineering, Guangxi University, Nanning, 530004, China
| | - Linli Qin
- College of Light Industry and Food Engineering, Guangxi University, Nanning, 530004, China
| | - Xinquan Liang
- College of Light Industry and Food Engineering, Guangxi University, Nanning, 530004, China.
| | - Yinhua Wan
- State Key Laboratory of Biochemical Engineering, Institute of Process Engineering, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100190, China.,School of Chemical Engineering, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, China
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17
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Baumschabl M, Ata Ö, Mitic BM, Lutz L, Gassler T, Troyer C, Hann S, Mattanovich D. Conversion of CO 2 into organic acids by engineered autotrophic yeast. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2022; 119:e2211827119. [PMID: 36383601 PMCID: PMC9704707 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2211827119] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/09/2022] [Accepted: 10/13/2022] [Indexed: 10/23/2023] Open
Abstract
The increase of CO2 emissions due to human activity is one of the preeminent reasons for the present climate crisis. In addition, considering the increasing demand for renewable resources, the upcycling of CO2 as a feedstock gains an extensive importance to establish CO2-neutral or CO2-negative industrial processes independent of agricultural resources. Here we assess whether synthetic autotrophic Komagataella phaffii (Pichia pastoris) can be used as a platform for value-added chemicals using CO2 as a feedstock by integrating the heterologous genes for lactic and itaconic acid synthesis. 13C labeling experiments proved that the resulting strains are able to produce organic acids via the assimilation of CO2 as a sole carbon source. Further engineering attempts to prevent the lactic acid consumption increased the titers to 600 mg L-1, while balancing the expression of key genes and modifying screening conditions led to 2 g L-1 itaconic acid. Bioreactor cultivations suggest that a fine-tuning on CO2 uptake and oxygen demand of the cells is essential to reach a higher productivity. We believe that through further metabolic and process engineering, the resulting engineered strain can become a promising host for the production of value-added bulk chemicals by microbial assimilation of CO2, to support sustainability of industrial bioprocesses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael Baumschabl
- Austrian Centre of Industrial Biotechnology (ACIB), Vienna, 1190, Austria
- Department of Biotechnology, Institute of Microbiology and Microbial Biotechnology, University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences (BOKU), Vienna, 1190, Austria
| | - Özge Ata
- Austrian Centre of Industrial Biotechnology (ACIB), Vienna, 1190, Austria
- Department of Biotechnology, Institute of Microbiology and Microbial Biotechnology, University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences (BOKU), Vienna, 1190, Austria
| | - Bernd M. Mitic
- Department of Biotechnology, Institute of Microbiology and Microbial Biotechnology, University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences (BOKU), Vienna, 1190, Austria
- Department of Chemistry, Institute of Analytical Chemistry, University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences (BOKU), Vienna, 1190, Austria
| | - Lisa Lutz
- Austrian Centre of Industrial Biotechnology (ACIB), Vienna, 1190, Austria
- Department of Biotechnology, Institute of Microbiology and Microbial Biotechnology, University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences (BOKU), Vienna, 1190, Austria
| | - Thomas Gassler
- Austrian Centre of Industrial Biotechnology (ACIB), Vienna, 1190, Austria
- Department of Biotechnology, Institute of Microbiology and Microbial Biotechnology, University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences (BOKU), Vienna, 1190, Austria
- Present address: Institute of Microbiology, ETH Zurich, Zurich, 8093, Switzerland
| | - Christina Troyer
- Department of Chemistry, Institute of Analytical Chemistry, University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences (BOKU), Vienna, 1190, Austria
| | - Stephan Hann
- Austrian Centre of Industrial Biotechnology (ACIB), Vienna, 1190, Austria
- Department of Chemistry, Institute of Analytical Chemistry, University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences (BOKU), Vienna, 1190, Austria
| | - Diethard Mattanovich
- Austrian Centre of Industrial Biotechnology (ACIB), Vienna, 1190, Austria
- Department of Biotechnology, Institute of Microbiology and Microbial Biotechnology, University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences (BOKU), Vienna, 1190, Austria
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18
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Sun X, Thunuguntla R, Zhang H, Atiyeh H. Biochar amended microbial conversion of C1 gases to ethanol and butanol: Effects of biochar feedstock type and processing temperature. BIORESOURCE TECHNOLOGY 2022; 360:127573. [PMID: 35792327 DOI: 10.1016/j.biortech.2022.127573] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/01/2022] [Revised: 06/29/2022] [Accepted: 06/30/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
Biochar feedstock and production method affects its physicochemical properties and subsequent application. This study investigated the effects of biochar from switchgrass (SGB) and poultry litter (PLB) produced at 350 and 700 °C on alcohol formation using CO:CO2:H2 (40:30:30) by Clostridium carboxidivorans (P7) and C. ragsdalei (P11). Fermentations were performed in 250 mL bottles with a 50 mL working volume at 37 °C. Strains P7 and P11 produced 1.2- to 2.2-fold more alcohol and consumed 1.2- to 1.9-fold more syngas using biochars made at 700 °C compared to 350 °C. Both strains also produced 1.4- to1.9-fold more alcohol with both biochars made at 700 °C compared to control without biochar. Strain P11 produced 1.1- and 1.6-fold more alcohol and fatty acids, respectively, in medium with PLB made at 700 °C compared to strain P7. These results provide guidance towards the selection of biochar type and production temperature to improve syngas fermentation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiao Sun
- Biosystems and Agricultural Engineering, Oklahoma State University, Stillwater, OK, USA
| | - Rahul Thunuguntla
- Biosystems and Agricultural Engineering, Oklahoma State University, Stillwater, OK, USA
| | - Hailin Zhang
- Plant and Soil Sciences, Oklahoma State University, Stillwater, OK, USA
| | - Hasan Atiyeh
- Biosystems and Agricultural Engineering, Oklahoma State University, Stillwater, OK, USA.
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Lo J, Humphreys JR, Magnusson L, Wachter B, Urban C, Hebdon SD, Xiong W, Chou KJ, Ching Maness P. Acetogenic production of 3-Hydroxybutyrate using a native 3-Hydroxybutyryl-CoA Dehydrogenase. Front Microbiol 2022; 13:948369. [PMID: 36003933 PMCID: PMC9393629 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2022.948369] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/19/2022] [Accepted: 07/11/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
3-Hydroxybutyrate (3HB) is a product of interest as it is a precursor to the commercially produced bioplastic polyhydroxybutyrate. It can also serve as a platform for fine chemicals, medicines, and biofuels, making it a value-added product and feedstock. Acetogens non-photosynthetically fix CO2 into acetyl-CoA and have been previously engineered to convert acetyl-CoA into 3HB. However, as acetogen metabolism is poorly understood, those engineering efforts have had varying levels of success. 3HB, using acetyl-CoA as a precursor, can be synthesized by a variety of different pathways. Here we systematically compare various pathways to produce 3HB in acetogens and discover a native (S)-3-hydroxybutyryl-CoA dehydrogenase, hbd2, responsible for endogenous 3HB production. In conjunction with the heterologous thiolase atoB and CoA transferase ctfAB, hbd2 overexpression improves yields of 3HB on both sugar and syngas (CO/H2/CO2), outperforming the other tested pathways. These results uncovered a previously unknown 3HB production pathway, inform data from prior metabolic engineering efforts, and have implications for future physiological and biotechnological anaerobic research.
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20
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Olorunsogbon T, Adesanya Y, Atiyeh HK, Okonkwo CC, Ujor VC, Ezeji TC. Effects of Clostridium beijerinckii and Medium Modifications on Acetone–Butanol–Ethanol Production From Switchgrass. Front Bioeng Biotechnol 2022; 10:942701. [PMID: 35992339 PMCID: PMC9382077 DOI: 10.3389/fbioe.2022.942701] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/12/2022] [Accepted: 06/20/2022] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
The presence of lignocellulose-derived microbial inhibitory compounds (LDMICs) in lignocellulosic biomass (LB) hydrolysates is a barrier to efficient conversion of LB hydrolysates to fuels and chemicals by fermenting microorganisms. Results from this study provide convincing evidence regarding the effectiveness of metabolically engineered C. beijerinckii NCIMB 8052 for the fermentation of LB-derived hydrolysates to acetone–butanol–ethanol (ABE). The engineered microbial strain (C. beijerinckii_SDR) was produced by the integration of an additional copy of a short-chain dehydrogenase/reductase (SDR) gene (Cbei_3904) into the chromosome of C. beijerinckii NCIMB 8052 wildtype, where it is controlled by the constitutive thiolase promoter. The C. beijerinckii_SDR and C. beijerinckii NCIMB 8052 wildtype were used for comparative fermentation of non-detoxified and detoxified hydrothermolysis-pretreated switchgrass hydrolysates (SHs) with and without (NH4)2CO3 supplementation. In the absence of (NH4)2CO3, fermentation of non-detoxified SH with C. beijerinckii_SDR resulted in the production of 3.13- and 2.25-fold greater quantities of butanol (11.21 g/L) and total ABE (20.24 g/L), respectively, than the 3.58 g/L butanol and 8.98 g/L ABE produced by C. beijerinckii_wildtype. When the non-detoxified SH was supplemented with (NH4)2CO3, concentrations were similar for butanol (9.5 compared with 9.2 g/L) and ABE (14.2 compared with 13.5 g/L) produced by C. beijerinckii_SDR and C. beijerinckii_wildtype, respectively. Furthermore, when C. beijerinckii_SDR and C. beijerinckii_wildtype were cultured in detoxified SH medium, C. beijerinckii_SDR produced 1.11- and 1.18-fold greater quantities of butanol and ABE, respectively, than when there was culturing with C. beijerinckii_wildtype. When the combined results of the present study are considered, conclusions are that the microbial strain and medium modifications of the fermentation milieu resulted in greater production of fuels and chemicals from non-detoxified LB hydrolysates.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tinuola Olorunsogbon
- Department of Animal Science, The Ohio State University, Wooster, OH, United States
| | - Yinka Adesanya
- Biosystems and Agricultural Engineering, Oklahoma State University, Stillwater, OK, United States
| | - Hasan K. Atiyeh
- Biosystems and Agricultural Engineering, Oklahoma State University, Stillwater, OK, United States
| | - Christopher Chukwudi Okonkwo
- Biotechnology Program, College of Science, The Roux Institute, Northeastern University, Portland, ME, United States
| | - Victor Chinomso Ujor
- Department of Food Science, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Maddison, WI, United States
| | - Thaddeus Chukwuemeka Ezeji
- Department of Animal Science, The Ohio State University, Wooster, OH, United States
- *Correspondence: Thaddeus Chukwuemeka Ezeji,
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21
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A comparative evaluation of machine learning algorithms for predicting syngas fermentation outcomes. Biochem Eng J 2022. [DOI: 10.1016/j.bej.2022.108578] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
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22
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An T, Kim YK. Effect of selenium and tungsten on cell growth and metabolite production in syngas fermentation using "Clostridium autoethanogenum". J Biotechnol 2022; 356:60-64. [PMID: 35878811 DOI: 10.1016/j.jbiotec.2022.07.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/07/2022] [Revised: 06/16/2022] [Accepted: 07/20/2022] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
Abstract
The effect of tungsten and selenium on cell growth and production of metabolites such as acetic acid and ethanol when fermenting syngas using "Clostridium autoethanogenum" was investigated to improve the process efficiency. General concentrations of selenium and tungsten in the medium are 0.01µM during acetogenic syngas fermentation. We conducted culture experiments at concentrations of 0, 0.001, 0.01 and 0.1µM for each heavy metal. The effect of selenium on cell growth and total metabolite production was greater than that of tungsten as the effect of selenium on formate dehydrogenase, an important enzyme of the Wood-Ljungdahl pathway, is greater than that of tungsten. Although an increase in tungsten had a marginal effect on total metabolite production, the ethanol/acetic acid production ratio increased significantly due to a decrease in acetic acid and an increase in ethanol production. Thus, tungsten plays a key role in activating aldehyde:ferredoxin oxidoreductase, a key enzyme in the reduction of acetate to ethanol. A specific ethanol productivity of 0.462g ethanol/g DCW∙d was obtained in a culture using 0.01µM selenium and 0.1µM tungsten, which was 2.18 times higher than when using 0.01µM of both selenium and tungsten.
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Affiliation(s)
- Taegwang An
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Research Center of Chemical Technology, Hankyong National University, Anseong, Gyeonggi-do 17579, Republic of Korea
| | - Young-Kee Kim
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Research Center of Chemical Technology, Hankyong National University, Anseong, Gyeonggi-do 17579, Republic of Korea.
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23
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Cell-free prototyping enables implementation of optimized reverse β-oxidation pathways in heterotrophic and autotrophic bacteria. Nat Commun 2022; 13:3058. [PMID: 35650184 PMCID: PMC9160091 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-022-30571-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/05/2022] [Accepted: 05/09/2022] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Carbon-negative synthesis of biochemical products has the potential to mitigate global CO2 emissions. An attractive route to do this is the reverse β-oxidation (r-BOX) pathway coupled to the Wood-Ljungdahl pathway. Here, we optimize and implement r-BOX for the synthesis of C4-C6 acids and alcohols. With a high-throughput in vitro prototyping workflow, we screen 762 unique pathway combinations using cell-free extracts tailored for r-BOX to identify enzyme sets for enhanced product selectivity. Implementation of these pathways into Escherichia coli generates designer strains for the selective production of butanoic acid (4.9 ± 0.1 gL−1), as well as hexanoic acid (3.06 ± 0.03 gL−1) and 1-hexanol (1.0 ± 0.1 gL−1) at the best performance reported to date in this bacterium. We also generate Clostridium autoethanogenum strains able to produce 1-hexanol from syngas, achieving a titer of 0.26 gL−1 in a 1.5 L continuous fermentation. Our strategy enables optimization of r-BOX derived products for biomanufacturing and industrial biotechnology. An attractive route for carbon-negative synthesis of biochemical products is the reverse β-oxidation pathway coupled to the Wood-Ljungdahl pathway. Here the authors use a high-throughput in vitro prototyping workflow to screen 762 unique pathway combinations using cell-free extracts tailored for r-BOX to identify enzyme sets for enhanced product selectivity.
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Vees CA, Herwig C, Pflügl S. Mixotrophic co-utilization of glucose and carbon monoxide boosts ethanol and butanol productivity of continuous Clostridium carboxidivorans cultures. BIORESOURCE TECHNOLOGY 2022; 353:127138. [PMID: 35405210 DOI: 10.1016/j.biortech.2022.127138] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/08/2022] [Revised: 04/05/2022] [Accepted: 04/06/2022] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
In this study, continuous cultivations of C.carboxidivorans to study heterotrophic and mixotrophic conversion of glucose and H2, CO2, and CO were established. Glucose fermentations at pH 6 showed a high ratio of alcohol-to-acid production of 2.79 mol mol-1. While H2 or CO2 were not utilized together with glucose, CO feeding drastically increased the combined alcohol titer to 9.1 g l-1. Specifically, CO enhanced acetate (1.9-fold) and ethanol (1.7-fold) production and triggered chain elongation to butanol (1.5-fold) production but did not change the alcohol:acid ratio. Flux balance analysis showed that CO served both as a carbon and energy source, and CO mixotrophy displayed a carbon and energy efficiency of 45 and 77%, respectively. This study expands the knowledge on physiology and metabolism of C.carboxidivorans and can serve as the starting point for rational engineering and process intensification to establish efficient production of alcohols and acids from carbon waste.
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Affiliation(s)
- Charlotte Anne Vees
- Technische Universität Wien, Institute of Chemical, Environmental and Bioscience Engineering, Research Area Biochemical Engineering, Gumpendorfer Straße 1a, 1060 Vienna, Austria.
| | - Christoph Herwig
- Technische Universität Wien, Institute of Chemical, Environmental and Bioscience Engineering, Research Area Biochemical Engineering, Gumpendorfer Straße 1a, 1060 Vienna, Austria; Competence Center CHASE GmbH, Altenbergerstraße 69, 4040 Linz, Austria.
| | - Stefan Pflügl
- Technische Universität Wien, Institute of Chemical, Environmental and Bioscience Engineering, Research Area Biochemical Engineering, Gumpendorfer Straße 1a, 1060 Vienna, Austria.
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25
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Tan X, Nielsen J. The integration of bio-catalysis and electrocatalysis to produce fuels and chemicals from carbon dioxide. Chem Soc Rev 2022; 51:4763-4785. [PMID: 35584360 DOI: 10.1039/d2cs00309k] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
The dependence on fossil fuels has caused excessive emissions of greenhouse gases (GHGs), leading to climate changes and global warming. Even though the expansion of electricity generation will enable a wider use of electric vehicles, biotechnology represents an attractive route for producing high-density liquid transportation fuels that can reduce GHG emissions from jets, long-haul trucks and ships. Furthermore, to achieve immediate alleviation of the current environmental situation, besides reducing carbon footprint it is urgent to develop technologies that transform atmospheric CO2 into fossil fuel replacements. The integration of bio-catalysis and electrocatalysis (bio-electrocatalysis) provides such a promising avenue to convert CO2 into fuels and chemicals with high-chain lengths. Following an overview of different mechanisms that can be used for CO2 fixation, we will discuss crucial factors for electrocatalysis with a special highlight on the improvement of electron-transfer kinetics, multi-dimensional electrocatalysts and their hybrids, electrolyser configurations, and the integration of electrocatalysis and bio-catalysis. Finally, we prospect key advantages and challenges of bio-electrocatalysis, and end with a discussion of future research directions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xinyi Tan
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Beijing Institute of Technology, Beijing, 100081, China.
| | - Jens Nielsen
- Department of Biology and Biological Engineering, Chalmers University of Technology, SE41296 Gothenburg, Sweden. .,BioInnovation Institute, Ole Maaløes Vej 3, DK2200 Copenhagen N, Denmark
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26
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Lauer I, Philipps G, Jennewein S. Metabolic engineering of Clostridium ljungdahlii for the production of hexanol and butanol from CO 2 and H 2. Microb Cell Fact 2022; 21:85. [PMID: 35568911 PMCID: PMC9107641 DOI: 10.1186/s12934-022-01802-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/21/2022] [Accepted: 04/11/2022] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The replacement of fossil fuels and petrochemicals with sustainable alternatives is necessary to mitigate the effects of climate change and also to counteract diminishing fossil resources. Acetogenic microorganisms such as Clostridium spp. are promising sources of fuels and basic chemical precursors because they efficiently utilize CO and CO2 as carbon source. However the conversion into high titers of butanol and hexanol is challenging. RESULTS Using a metabolic engineering approach we transferred a 17.9-kb gene cluster via conjugation, containing 13 genes from C. kluyveri and C. acetobutylicum for butanol and hexanol biosynthesis, into C. ljungdahlii. Plasmid-based expression resulted in 1075 mg L-1 butanol and 133 mg L-1 hexanol from fructose in complex medium, and 174 mg L-1 butanol and 15 mg L-1 hexanol from gaseous substrate (20% CO2 and 80% H2) in minimal medium. Product formation was increased by the genomic integration of the heterologous gene cluster. We confirmed the expression of all 13 enzymes by targeted proteomics and identified potential rate-limiting steps. Then, we removed the first-round selection marker using CRISPR/Cas9 and integrated an additional 7.8 kb gene cluster comprising 6 genes from C. carboxidivorans. This led to a significant increase in the hexanol titer (251 mg L-1) at the expense of butanol (158 mg L-1), when grown on CO2 and H2 in serum bottles. Fermentation of this strain at 2-L scale produced 109 mg L-1 butanol and 393 mg L-1 hexanol. CONCLUSIONS We thus confirmed the function of the butanol/hexanol biosynthesis genes and achieved hexanol biosynthesis in the syngas-fermenting species C. ljungdahlii for the first time, reaching the levels produced naturally by C. carboxidivorans. The genomic integration strain produced hexanol without selection and is therefore suitable for continuous fermentation processes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ira Lauer
- Department for Industrial Biotechnology, Fraunhofer Institute for Molecular Biology and Applied Ecology IME, Forckenbeckstr. 6, 52074, Aachen, Germany
| | - Gabriele Philipps
- Department for Industrial Biotechnology, Fraunhofer Institute for Molecular Biology and Applied Ecology IME, Forckenbeckstr. 6, 52074, Aachen, Germany
| | - Stefan Jennewein
- Department for Industrial Biotechnology, Fraunhofer Institute for Molecular Biology and Applied Ecology IME, Forckenbeckstr. 6, 52074, Aachen, Germany.
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27
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Oh HJ, Ko JK, Gong G, Lee SM, Um Y. Production of Hexanol as the Main Product Through Syngas Fermentation by Clostridium carboxidivorans P7. Front Bioeng Biotechnol 2022; 10:850370. [PMID: 35547160 PMCID: PMC9081523 DOI: 10.3389/fbioe.2022.850370] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/07/2022] [Accepted: 04/04/2022] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
The production of hexanol from syngas by acetogens has gained attention as a replacement for petroleum-derived hexanol, which is widely used in the chemical synthesis and plastic industries. However, acetogenic bacteria generally produce C2 compounds (e.g., acetate and ethanol) as the main products. In this study, the gas fermentation conditions favorable for hexanol production were investigated at different temperatures (30-37°C) and CO gas contents (30-70%) in batch gas fermentation. Hexanol production increased from 0.02 to 0.09 g/L when the cultivation temperature was lowered from 37 to 30°C. As the CO content increased from 30 to 70%, the CO consumption rate and hexanol production (yield, titer, and ratio of C6 compound to total products) increased with the CO content. When 70% CO gas was repeatedly provided by flushing the headspace of the bottles at 30°C, the total alcohol production increased to 4.32 g/L at the expense of acids. Notably, hexanol production (1.90 g/L) was higher than that of ethanol (1.20 g/L) and butanol (1.20 g/L); this is the highest level of hexanol produced in gas fermentation to date and the first report of hexanol as the main product. Hexanol production was further enhanced to 2.34 g/L when 2 g/L ethanol was supplemented at the beginning of 70% CO gas refeeding fermentation. Particularly, hexanol productivity was significantly enhanced to 0.18 g/L/day while the supplemented ethanol was consumed, indicating that the conversion of ethanol to acetyl-CoA and reducing equivalents positively affected hexanol production. These optimized culture conditions (gas fermentation at 30°C and refeeding with 70% CO gas) and ethanol supplementation provide an effective and sustainable approach for bio-hexanol production.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hyun Ju Oh
- Clean Energy Research Center, Korea Institute of Science and Technology, Seoul, South Korea
| | - Ja Kyong Ko
- Clean Energy Research Center, Korea Institute of Science and Technology, Seoul, South Korea
- Division of Energy and Environment Technology, KIST School, University of Science and Technology (UST), Daejeon, South Korea
| | - Gyeongtaek Gong
- Clean Energy Research Center, Korea Institute of Science and Technology, Seoul, South Korea
- Division of Energy and Environment Technology, KIST School, University of Science and Technology (UST), Daejeon, South Korea
| | - Sun-Mi Lee
- Clean Energy Research Center, Korea Institute of Science and Technology, Seoul, South Korea
- Division of Energy and Environment Technology, KIST School, University of Science and Technology (UST), Daejeon, South Korea
| | - Youngsoon Um
- Clean Energy Research Center, Korea Institute of Science and Technology, Seoul, South Korea
- Division of Energy and Environment Technology, KIST School, University of Science and Technology (UST), Daejeon, South Korea
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28
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Marcel M, Darina E, Patrick K, Aline H, Gabriele P, Stefan J, Jochen B. Impact of different trace elements on metabolic routes during heterotrophic growth of C. ljungdahlii investigated through online measurement of the carbon dioxide transfer rate. Biotechnol Prog 2022; 38:e3263. [PMID: 35434968 DOI: 10.1002/btpr.3263] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/27/2022] [Revised: 03/30/2022] [Accepted: 04/15/2022] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Abstract
Synthesis gas fermentation using acetogenic clostridia is a rapidly increasing research area. It offers the possibility to produce platform chemicals from sustainable C1 carbon sources. The Wood-Ljungdahl pathway (WLP), which allows acetogens to grow autotrophically, is also active during heterotrophic growth. It acts as an electron sink and allows for the utilization of a wide variety of soluble substrates and increases ATP yields during heterotrophic growth. While glycolysis leads to CO2 evolution, WLP activity results in CO2 fixation. Thus, a reduction of net CO2 emissions during growth with sugars is an indicator of WLP activity. To study the effect of trace elements and ventilation rates on the interaction between glycolysis and the WLP, the model acetogen Clostridium ljungdahlii was cultivated in YTF medium, a complex medium generally employed for heterotrophic growth, with fructose as growth substrate. The recently reported anaRAMOS device was used for online measurement of metabolic activity, in form of CO2 evolution. The addition of multiple trace elements (iron, cobalt, manganese, zinc, nickel, copper, selenium, and tungsten) was tested, to study the interaction between glycolysis and the Wood ljungdahl pathway. While the addition of iron(II) increased growth rates and ethanol production, added nickel(II) increased WLP activity and acetate formation, reducing net CO2 production by 28%. Also, higher CO2 availability through reduced volumetric gas flow resulted in 25% reduction of CO2 evolution. These online metabolic data demonstrate that the anaRAMOS is a valuable tool in the investigation of metabolic responses i.e. to determine nutrient requirements that results in reduced CO2 production. Thereby the media composition can be optimized depending on the specific goal. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mann Marcel
- RWTH Aachen University, AVT - Biochemical Engineering, Aachen, Germany
| | - Effert Darina
- RWTH Aachen University, AVT - Biochemical Engineering, Aachen, Germany
| | - Kottenhahn Patrick
- RWTH Aachen University, AVT - Biochemical Engineering, Aachen, Germany.,Department for Industrial Biotechnology, Fraunhofer Institute for Molecular Biology and Applied Ecology IME, Forckenbeckstr. 6, Aachen, Germany
| | - Hüser Aline
- RWTH Aachen University, AVT - Biochemical Engineering, Aachen, Germany
| | - Philipps Gabriele
- Department for Industrial Biotechnology, Fraunhofer Institute for Molecular Biology and Applied Ecology IME, Forckenbeckstr. 6, Aachen, Germany
| | - Jennewein Stefan
- Department for Industrial Biotechnology, Fraunhofer Institute for Molecular Biology and Applied Ecology IME, Forckenbeckstr. 6, Aachen, Germany
| | - Büchs Jochen
- RWTH Aachen University, AVT - Biochemical Engineering, Aachen, Germany
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29
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Calvo DC, Luna HJ, Arango JA, Torres CI, Rittmann BE. Determining global trends in syngas fermentation research through a bibliometric analysis. JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT 2022; 307:114522. [PMID: 35066199 DOI: 10.1016/j.jenvman.2022.114522] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/08/2021] [Revised: 01/10/2022] [Accepted: 01/13/2022] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
Syngas fermentation, in which microorganisms convert H2, CO, and CO2 to acids and alcohols, is a promising alternative for carbon cycling and valorization. The intellectual landscape of the topic was characterized through a bibliometric analysis using a search query (SQ) that included all relevant documents on syngas fermentation available through the Web of Science database up to December 31st, 2021. The SQ was validated with a preliminary analysis in bibliometrix and a review of titles and abstracts of all sources. Although syngas fermentation began in the early 1980s, it grew rapidly beginning in 2008, with 92.5% of total publications and 87.3% of total citations from 2008 to 2021. The field has been steadily moving from fundamentals towards applications, suggesting that the field is maturing scientifically. The greatest number of publications and citations are from the USA, and researchers in China, Germany, and Spain also are highly active. Although collaborations have increased in the past few years, author-cluster analysis shows specialized research domains with little collaboration between groups. Based on topic trends, the main challenges to be address are related to mass-transfer limitations, and researchers are starting to explore mixed cultures, genetic engineering, microbial chain elongation, and biorefineries.
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Affiliation(s)
- Diana C Calvo
- Biodesign Swette Center for Environmental Biotechnology, Arizona State University, Tempe, AZ, PO Box 85287-3005, USA; Biodesign Center for Health Through Microbiomes, Arizona State University, Tempe, AZ, PO Box 85287-3005, USA.
| | - Hector J Luna
- Grupo GRESIA, Department of Environmental Engineering, Universidad Antonio Nariño, Bogotá, 110231, Colombia; Environmental and Chemical Technology Group, Department of Chemistry, Federal University of Ouro Preto, Campus University, Campus Universitario, Brazil
| | - Jineth A Arango
- Pontificia Universidad Católica de Valparaíso, Valparaíso, 2362803, Chile.
| | - Cesar I Torres
- Biodesign Swette Center for Environmental Biotechnology, Arizona State University, Tempe, AZ, PO Box 85287-3005, USA.
| | - Bruce E Rittmann
- Biodesign Swette Center for Environmental Biotechnology, Arizona State University, Tempe, AZ, PO Box 85287-3005, USA.
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30
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Doyle DA, Smith PR, Lawson PA, Tanner RS. Clostridium muellerianum sp. nov., a carbon monoxide-oxidizing acetogen isolated from old hay. Int J Syst Evol Microbiol 2022; 72. [DOI: 10.1099/ijsem.0.005297] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/07/2023] Open
Abstract
An acid/alcohol-producing, Gram-stain-positive, obligately anaerobic, rod-shaped, non-motile, non-spore forming acetogen, designated as strain P21T, was isolated from old hay after enrichment with CO as the substrate. Spores not observed even after prolonged incubation (30 days). Phylogenetic analysis of the 16S rRNA gene sequence of strain P21T showed it was closely related to
Clostridium carboxidivorans
DSM 15243T (97.9%),
Clostridium scatologenes
DSM 757T (97.7 %) and
Clostridium drakei
DSM 12750T (97.7 %). The genome is 5.6 Mb and the G+C content is 29.4 mol%. Average nucleotide identity between strain P21T,
C. carboxidivorans
,
C. scatologenes
and
C. drakei
was 87.1, 86.4, 86.4 %, respectively. Strain P21T grew on CO:CO2, H2:CO2, l-arabinose, ribose, xylose, fructose, galactose, glucose, lactose, mannose, cellobiose, sucrose, cellulose, starch, pyruvate, choline, glutamate, histidine, serine, threonine and casamino acids. End products of metabolism were acetate, butyrate, caproate, ethanol and hexanol. Dominant cellular fatty acids (>10 %) were C16 : 0 (41.5 %), C16 : 1 ω7c/C16 : 1 ω6c (10.0 %), and a summed feature containing cyclo C17 : 1/C18 : 0 (17.3 %). Based on the phenotypic, chemotaxonomic, phylogenetic and phylogenomic analyses, strain P21T represents a new species in the genus
Clostridium
, for which the name Clostridium muellerianum sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is P21T (=DSM 111390T=NCIMB 15261T).
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Affiliation(s)
- D. Annie Doyle
- Department of Microbiology and Plant Biology, University of Oklahoma, Norman OK 73019, USA
| | - Parker R. Smith
- Department of Microbiology and Plant Biology, University of Oklahoma, Norman OK 73019, USA
| | - Paul A. Lawson
- Department of Microbiology and Plant Biology, University of Oklahoma, Norman OK 73019, USA
| | - Ralph S. Tanner
- Department of Microbiology and Plant Biology, University of Oklahoma, Norman OK 73019, USA
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Establishing Butyribacterium methylotrophicum as a platform organism for the production of biocommodities from liquid C1 metabolites. Appl Environ Microbiol 2022; 88:e0239321. [PMID: 35138930 DOI: 10.1128/aem.02393-21] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Using the Wood-Ljungdahl pathway, acetogens can non-photosynthetically fix gaseous C1 molecules preventing them from entering the atmosphere. Many acetogens can also grow on liquid C1 compounds such as formate and methanol which avoid the storage and mass transfer issues associated with gaseous C1 compounds. Substrate redox state also plays an important role in acetogen metabolism and can modulate products formed by these organisms. Butyribacterium methylotrophicum is an acetogen known for its ability to synthesize longer-chained molecules such as butyrate and butanol, which have significantly higher value than acetate or ethanol, from one-carbon (C1) compounds. We explored B. methylotrophicum's C1 metabolism by varying substrates, substrate concentrations and substrate feeding strategies to improve four-carbon product titers. Our results showed that formate utilization by B. methylotrophicum favored acetate production and methanol utilization favored butyrate production. Co-feeding of both substrates produced a high butyrate titer of 4 g/L when methanol was supplied in excess to formate. Testing of formate feeding strategies, in the presence of methanol, led to further increases in the butyrate to acetate ratio. Mixotrophic growth of liquid and gaseous C1 substrates expanded the B. methylotrophicum product profile as ethanol, butanol and lactate were produced in these conditions. We also showed that B. methylotrophicum is capable of producing caproate, a six-carbon product, presumably through chain elongation cycles of the reverse β-oxidation pathway. Furthermore, we demonstrated butanol production via heterologous gene expression. Our results indicate that both selection of appropriate substrates and genetic engineering play important roles in determining titers of desired products. Importance. Acetogenic bacteria can fix single-carbon (C1) molecules. However, improvements are needed to overcome poor product titers. Butyribacterium methylotrophicum can naturally ferment C1 compounds into longer-chained molecules such as butyrate alongside traditional acetate. Here we show that B. methylotrophicum can effectively grow on formate and methanol to produce high titers of butyrate. We improved ratios of butyrate to acetate through adjusted formate feeding strategies and produced higher value six-carbon molecules. We also expanded the B. methylotrophicum product profile with the addition of C1 gases as the organism produced ethanol, butanol and lactate. Furthermore, we developed a transformation protocol for B. methylotrophicum to facilitate genetic engineering of this organism for the circular bioeconomy.
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32
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He Y, Lens PNL, Veiga MC, Kennes C. Selective butanol production from carbon monoxide by an enriched anaerobic culture. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2022; 806:150579. [PMID: 34582872 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2021.150579] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/19/2021] [Revised: 09/21/2021] [Accepted: 09/21/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
An anaerobic mixed culture able to grow on pure carbon monoxide (CO) as well as syngas (CO, CO2 and H2), that produced unusual high concentrations of butanol, was enriched in a bioreactor with intermittent CO gas feeding. At pH 6.2, it mainly produced acids, generally acetic and butyric acid. After adaptation, under stress conditions of CO exposure at a partial pressure of 1.8 bar and low pH (e.g., 5.7), the enrichment accumulated ethanol, but also high amounts of butanol, up to 6.8 g/L, never reported before, with a high butanol/butyric acid molar ratio of 12.6, highlighting the high level of acid to alcohol conversion. At the end of the assay, both the acetic acid and ethanol concentrations decreased, with concomitant butyric acid production, suggesting C2 to C4 acid bioconversion, though this was not a dominant bioconversion process. The reverse reaction of ethanol oxidation to acetic acid was observed in the presence of CO2 produced during CO fermentation. Interestingly, butanol oxidation with simultaneous butyric acid production occurred upon production of CO2 from CO, which has to the best of our knowledge never been reported. Although the sludge inoculum contained a few known solventogenic Clostridia, the relative taxonomic abundance of the enriched sludge was diverse in Clostridia and Bacilli classes, containing known solventogens, e.g., Clostridium ljungdhalii, Clostridium ragsdalei and Clostridium coskatii, confirming their efficient enrichment. The relative abundance of unassigned Clostridium species amounted to 27% with presumably novel ethanol/butanol producers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yaxue He
- Chemical Engineering Laboratory, Faculty of Sciences and Center for Advanced Scientific Research (CICA), BIOENGIN Group, University of La Coruña (UDC), E-15008 La Coruña, Spain; National University of Ireland Galway, H91 TK33 Galway, Ireland
| | - Piet N L Lens
- National University of Ireland Galway, H91 TK33 Galway, Ireland
| | - María C Veiga
- Chemical Engineering Laboratory, Faculty of Sciences and Center for Advanced Scientific Research (CICA), BIOENGIN Group, University of La Coruña (UDC), E-15008 La Coruña, Spain
| | - Christian Kennes
- Chemical Engineering Laboratory, Faculty of Sciences and Center for Advanced Scientific Research (CICA), BIOENGIN Group, University of La Coruña (UDC), E-15008 La Coruña, Spain.
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34
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Characterization of a Novel Acetogen Clostridium sp. JS66 for Production of Acids and Alcohols: Focusing on Hexanoic Acid Production from Syngas. BIOTECHNOL BIOPROC E 2022. [DOI: 10.1007/s12257-021-0122-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/02/2022]
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35
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Kajla S, Kumari R, Nagi GK. Microbial CO2 fixation and biotechnology in reducing industrial CO2 emissions. Arch Microbiol 2022; 204:149. [DOI: 10.1007/s00203-021-02677-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/17/2020] [Revised: 10/20/2021] [Accepted: 10/21/2021] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
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36
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Fernández-Blanco C, Veiga MC, Kennes C. Efficient production of n-caproate from syngas by a co-culture of Clostridium aceticum and Clostridium kluyveri. JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT 2022; 302:113992. [PMID: 34710762 DOI: 10.1016/j.jenvman.2021.113992] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/06/2021] [Revised: 09/30/2021] [Accepted: 10/21/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
In recent years, the possibility of merging technologies for waste recovery such as those based on syngas fermentation and chain elongation has been studied for the production of medium chain fatty acids (MCFAs) and bioalcohols, in an attempt to integrate the concept of circular economy in the industry. Nevertheless, one of the main issues of this approach is the pH mismatch between acetogens and chain elongating microorganisms. This work reports, for the first time, the suitability of a co-culture of C. aceticum and C. kluyveri metabolizing syngas at near neutral pH in stirred tank bioreactors. For this purpose, bioreactor studies were carried out with continuous syngas supply. In the first experiment, maximum concentrations of n-butyrate and n-caproate of 7.0 and 8.2 g/L, respectively, were obtained. In the second experiment, considerable amounts of n-butanol were produced as a result of the reduction, by C. aceticum, of the carboxylates already formed in the broth. In both experiments, ethanol was used as an exogenous electron agent at some point. Finally, batch bottle assays were performed with a pure culture of C. aceticum grown on CO in presence of n-butyrate to assess and confirm its ability to produce n-butanol, reaching concentrations up to 951 mg/L, with a n-butyrate conversion efficiency of 96%, which had never been reported before in this species. Therefore, this work contributes to the state of the art, presenting a novel system for the bioproduction of MCFAs by combining syngas fermentation and chain elongation at near neutral pH, as opposed to the acidic pH range used in all previously reported literature.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carla Fernández-Blanco
- Chemical Engineering Laboratory, Faculty of Sciences and Center for Advanced Scientific Research (CICA), BIOENGIN Group, University of La Coruña, E-15008, La Coruña, Spain
| | - María C Veiga
- Chemical Engineering Laboratory, Faculty of Sciences and Center for Advanced Scientific Research (CICA), BIOENGIN Group, University of La Coruña, E-15008, La Coruña, Spain
| | - Christian Kennes
- Chemical Engineering Laboratory, Faculty of Sciences and Center for Advanced Scientific Research (CICA), BIOENGIN Group, University of La Coruña, E-15008, La Coruña, Spain.
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37
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Pavan M, Reinmets K, Garg S, Mueller AP, Marcellin E, Köpke M, Valgepea K. Advances in systems metabolic engineering of autotrophic carbon oxide-fixing biocatalysts towards a circular economy. Metab Eng 2022; 71:117-141. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ymben.2022.01.015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/16/2021] [Revised: 01/24/2022] [Accepted: 01/25/2022] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
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38
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Wood JC, Marcellin E, Plan MR, Virdis B. High methanol-to-formate ratios induce butanol production in Eubacterium limosum. Microb Biotechnol 2021; 15:1542-1549. [PMID: 34841673 PMCID: PMC9049608 DOI: 10.1111/1751-7915.13963] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/02/2021] [Revised: 10/06/2021] [Accepted: 10/20/2021] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Unlike gaseous C1 feedstocks for acetogenic bacteria, there has been less attention on liquid C1 feedstocks, despite benefits in terms of energy efficiency, mass transfer and integration within existing fermentation infrastructure. Here, we present growth of Eubacterium limosum ATCC8486 using methanol and formate as substrates, finding evidence for the first time of native butanol production. We varied ratios of methanol‐to‐formate in batch serum bottle fermentations, showing butyrate is the major product (maximum specific rate 220 ± 23 mmol‐C gDCW‐1day‐1). Increasing this ratio showed methanol is the key feedstock driving the product spectrum towards more reduced products, such as butanol (maximum titre 2.0 ± 1.1 mM‐C). However, both substrates are required for a high growth rate (maximum 0.19 ± 0.011 h‐1) and cell density (maximum 1.2 ± 0.043 gDCW l‐1), with formate being the preferred substrate. In fact, formate and methanol are consumed in two distinct growth phases – growth phase 1, on predominately formate and growth phase 2 on methanol, which must balance. Because the second growth varied according to the first growth on formate, this suggests butanol production is due to overflow metabolism, similar to 2,3‐butanediol production in other acetogens. However, further research is required to confirm the butanol production pathway in E. limosum, particularly given, unlike other substrates, methanol likely results in mostly NADH generation, not reduced ferredoxin.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jamin C Wood
- Australian Centre for Water and Environmental Biotechnology (ACWEB, formerly AWMC), The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Qld, 4072, Australia
| | - Esteban Marcellin
- Australian Institute for Bioengineering and Nanotechnology, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Qld, 4072, Australia.,Metabolomics Australia (Queensland node), The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Qld, 4072, Australia
| | - Manuel R Plan
- Australian Institute for Bioengineering and Nanotechnology, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Qld, 4072, Australia.,Metabolomics Australia (Queensland node), The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Qld, 4072, Australia
| | - Bernardino Virdis
- Australian Centre for Water and Environmental Biotechnology (ACWEB, formerly AWMC), The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Qld, 4072, Australia
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Conversion of Carbon Monoxide to Chemicals Using Microbial Consortia. ADVANCES IN BIOCHEMICAL ENGINEERING/BIOTECHNOLOGY 2021; 180:373-407. [PMID: 34811579 DOI: 10.1007/10_2021_180] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/19/2022]
Abstract
Syngas, a gaseous mixture of CO, H2 and CO2, can be produced by gasification of carbon-containing materials, including organic waste materials or lignocellulosic biomass. The conversion of bio-based syngas to chemicals is foreseen as an important process in circular bioeconomy. Carbon monoxide is also produced as a waste gas in many industrial sectors (e.g., chemical, energy, steel). Often, the purity level of bio-based syngas and waste gases is low and/or the ratios of syngas components are not adequate for chemical conversion (e.g., by Fischer-Tropsch). Microbes are robust catalysts to transform impure syngas into a broad spectrum of products. Fermentation of CO-rich waste gases to ethanol has reached commercial scale (by axenic cultures of Clostridium species), but production of other chemical building blocks is underexplored. Currently, genetic engineering of carboxydotrophic acetogens is applied to increase the portfolio of products from syngas/CO, but the limited energy metabolism of these microbes limits product yields and applications (for example, only products requiring low levels of ATP for synthesis can be produced). An alternative approach is to explore microbial consortia, including open mixed cultures and synthetic co-cultures, to create a metabolic network based on CO conversion that can yield products such as medium-chain carboxylic acids, higher alcohols and other added-value chemicals.
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Screening of Gas Substrate and Medium Effects on 2,3-Butanediol Production with C. ljungdahlii and C. autoethanogenum Aided by Improved Autotrophic Cultivation Technique. FERMENTATION 2021. [DOI: 10.3390/fermentation7040264] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Gas fermentation by acetogens of the genus Clostridium is an attractive technology since it affords the production of biochemicals and biofuels from industrial waste gases while contributing to mitigate the carbon cycle alterations. The acetogenic model organisms C. ljungdahlii and C. autoethanogenum have already been used in large scale industrial fermentations. Among the natural products, ethanol production has already attained industrial scale. However, some acetogens are also natural producers of 2,3-butanediol (2,3-BDO), a platform chemical of relevant industrial interest. Here, we have developed a lab-scale screening campaign with the aim of enhancing 2,3-BDO production. Our study generated comparable data on growth and 2,3-BDO production of several batch gas fermentations using C. ljungdahlii and C. autoethanogenum grown on different gas substrates of primary applicative interest (CO2 · H2, CO · CO2, syngas) and on different media featuring different compositions as regards trace metals, mineral elements and vitamins. CO · CO2 fermentation was found to be preferable for the production of 2,3-BDO, and a fair comparison of the strains cultivated in comparable conditions revealed that C. ljungdahlii produced 3.43-fold higher titer of 2,3-BDO compared to C. autoethanogenum. Screening of different medium compositions revealed that mineral elements, Zinc and Iron exert a major positive influence on 2,3-BDO titer and productivity. Moreover, the CO2 influence on CO fermentation was explored by characterizing C. ljungdahlii response with respect to different gas ratios in the CO · CO2 gas mixtures. The screening strategies undertaken in this study led to the production of 2.03 ± 0.05 g/L of 2,3-BDO, which is unprecedented in serum bottle experiments.
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Schneider M, Bäumler M, Lee NM, Weuster-Botz D, Ehrenreich A, Liebl W. Monitoring co-cultures of Clostridium carboxidivorans and Clostridium kluyveri by fluorescence in situ hybridization with specific 23S rRNA oligonucleotide probes. Syst Appl Microbiol 2021; 44:126271. [PMID: 34735802 DOI: 10.1016/j.syapm.2021.126271] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/17/2021] [Revised: 08/20/2021] [Accepted: 08/27/2021] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
The development of co-cultures of clostridial strains which combine different physiological traits represents a promising strategy to achieve the environmentally friendly production of biofuels and chemicals. For the optimization of such co-cultures it is essential to monitor their composition and stability throughout fermentation. FISH is a quick and sensitive method for the specific labeling and quantification of cells within microbial communities. This technique is neither limited by the anaerobic fermenter environment nor by the need of prior genetic modification of strains. In this study, two specific 23S rRNA oligonucleotide probes, ClosKluy and ClosCarb, were designed for the monitoring of C. kluyveri and C. carboxidivorans, respectively. After the optimization of hybridization conditions for both probes, which was achieved at 30% (v/v) formamide, a high specificity was observed with epifluorescence microscopy using cells from different pure reference strains. The discriminating properties of the ClosKluy and ClosCarb probes was verified with samples from heterotrophic co-cultures in anaerobic flasks as well as autotrophic stirred-tank bioreactor co-cultures of C. kluyveri and C. carboxidivorans. Besides being suited to monitor defined co-cultures of these two species, the new specific FISH oligonucleotide probes for C. kluyveri and C. carboxidivorans additionally have potential to be applied in environmental studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Martina Schneider
- Chair of Microbiology, Technical University of Munich, TUM School of Life Science, Freising, Germany
| | - Miriam Bäumler
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, Institute of Biochemical Engineering, Technical University of Munich, Garching, Germany
| | - Natuschka M Lee
- Department of Ecology and Environmental Science, Umeå University, Umeå, Sweden; Research Infrastructure Fluorescence in Situ Hybridization (FISH), Chemical Biological Centre, Umeå University, Umeå, Sweden
| | - Dirk Weuster-Botz
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, Institute of Biochemical Engineering, Technical University of Munich, Garching, Germany
| | - Armin Ehrenreich
- Chair of Microbiology, Technical University of Munich, TUM School of Life Science, Freising, Germany.
| | - Wolfgang Liebl
- Chair of Microbiology, Technical University of Munich, TUM School of Life Science, Freising, Germany
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Bäumler M, Schneider M, Ehrenreich A, Liebl W, Weuster-Botz D. Synthetic co-culture of autotrophic Clostridium carboxidivorans and chain elongating Clostridium kluyveri monitored by flow cytometry. Microb Biotechnol 2021; 15:1471-1485. [PMID: 34669248 PMCID: PMC9049614 DOI: 10.1111/1751-7915.13941] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/15/2021] [Revised: 09/22/2021] [Accepted: 09/23/2021] [Indexed: 01/21/2023] Open
Abstract
Syngas fermentation with acetogens is known to produce mainly acetate and ethanol efficiently. Co-cultures with chain elongating bacteria making use of these products are a promising approach to produce longer-chain alcohols. Synthetic co-cultures with identical initial cell concentrations of Clostridium carboxidivorans and Clostridium kluyveri were studied in batch-operated stirred-tank bioreactors with continuous CO/CO2 -gassing and monitoring of the cell counts of both clostridia by flow cytometry after fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH-FC). At 800 mbar CO, chain elongation activity was observed at pH 6.0, although growth of C. kluyveri was restricted. Organic acids produced by C. kluyveri were reduced by C. carboxidivorans to the corresponding alcohols butanol and hexanol. This resulted in a threefold increase in final butanol concentration and enabled hexanol production compared with a mono-culture of C. carboxidivorans. At 100 mbar CO, growth of C. kluyveri was improved; however, the capacity of C. carboxidivorans to form alcohols was reduced. Because of the accumulation of organic acids, a constant decay of C. carboxidivorans was observed. The measurement of individual cell concentrations in co-culture established in this study may serve as an effective tool for knowledge-based identification of optimum process conditions for enhanced formation of longer-chain alcohols by clostridial co-cultures.
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Affiliation(s)
- Miriam Bäumler
- Institute of Biochemical Engineering, TUM School of Engineering and Design, Technical University of Munich, Boltzmannstr. 15, Garching, 85748, Germany
| | - Martina Schneider
- Chair of Microbiology, TUM School of Life Sciences, Technical University of Munich, Emil-Ramann-Str. 4, Freising, Germany
| | - Armin Ehrenreich
- Chair of Microbiology, TUM School of Life Sciences, Technical University of Munich, Emil-Ramann-Str. 4, Freising, Germany
| | - Wolfgang Liebl
- Chair of Microbiology, TUM School of Life Sciences, Technical University of Munich, Emil-Ramann-Str. 4, Freising, Germany
| | - Dirk Weuster-Botz
- Institute of Biochemical Engineering, TUM School of Engineering and Design, Technical University of Munich, Boltzmannstr. 15, Garching, 85748, Germany
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Hexanol biosynthesis from syngas by Clostridium carboxidivorans P7 - product toxicity, temperature dependence and in situ extraction. Heliyon 2021; 7:e07732. [PMID: 34409191 PMCID: PMC8361263 DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2021.e07732] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/12/2021] [Revised: 05/17/2021] [Accepted: 08/03/2021] [Indexed: 11/08/2022] Open
Abstract
Clostridium carboxidivorans converts syngas into industrial alcohols like hexanol, but titers may be limited by product toxicity. Investigation of IC50 at 30 °C (17.5 mM) and 37 °C (11.8 mM) revealed increased hexanol tolerance at lower temperatures. To avoid product toxicity, oleyl alcohol was added as an extraction solvent, increasing hexanol production nearly 2.5-fold to 23.9 mM (2.4 g/L) at 30 °C. This titer exceeds the concentration that is acutely toxic in the absence of a solvent, confirming the hypothesis that current hexanol production is limited by product toxicity. The solvent however had no positive effect at 37 °C. Furthermore, C. carboxidivorans cell membranes adapted to the higher temperature by incorporating more saturated fatty acids, but surprisingly not to hexanol. Corn oil and sunflower seed oil were tested as alternative, inexpensive extraction solvents. Hexanol titers were similar with all solvents, but oleyl alcohol achieved the highest extraction efficiency.
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44
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Debabov VG. Acetogens: Biochemistry, Bioenergetics, Genetics, and Biotechnological Potential. Microbiology (Reading) 2021. [DOI: 10.1134/s0026261721030024] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/02/2023] Open
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45
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Yoo JI, Sohn YJ, Son J, Jo SY, Pyo J, Park SK, Choi JI, Joo JC, Kim HT, Park SJ. Recent advances in the microbial production of C4 alcohols by metabolically engineered microorganisms. Biotechnol J 2021; 17:e2000451. [PMID: 33984183 DOI: 10.1002/biot.202000451] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/30/2020] [Revised: 04/28/2021] [Accepted: 04/28/2021] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The heavy global dependence on petroleum-based industries has led to serious environmental problems, including climate change and global warming. As a result, there have been calls for a paradigm shift towards the use of biorefineries, which employ natural and engineered microorganisms that can utilize various carbon sources from renewable resources as host strains for the carbon-neutral production of target products. PURPOSE AND SCOPE C4 alcohols are versatile chemicals that can be used directly as biofuels and bulk chemicals and in the production of value-added materials such as plastics, cosmetics, and pharmaceuticals. C4 alcohols can be effectively produced by microorganisms using DCEO biotechnology (tools to design, construct, evaluate, and optimize) and metabolic engineering strategies. SUMMARY OF NEW SYNTHESIS AND CONCLUSIONS In this review, we summarize the production strategies and various synthetic tools available for the production of C4 alcohols and discuss the potential development of microbial cell factories, including the optimization of fermentation processes, that offer cost competitiveness and potential industrial commercialization.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jee In Yoo
- Department of Chemical Engineering and Materials Science, Graduate Program in System Health Science and Engineering, Ewha Womans University, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Yu Jung Sohn
- Department of Chemical Engineering and Materials Science, Graduate Program in System Health Science and Engineering, Ewha Womans University, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Jina Son
- Department of Chemical Engineering and Materials Science, Graduate Program in System Health Science and Engineering, Ewha Womans University, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Seo Young Jo
- Department of Chemical Engineering and Materials Science, Graduate Program in System Health Science and Engineering, Ewha Womans University, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Jiwon Pyo
- Department of Chemical Engineering and Materials Science, Graduate Program in System Health Science and Engineering, Ewha Womans University, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Su Kyeong Park
- Department of Chemical Engineering and Materials Science, Graduate Program in System Health Science and Engineering, Ewha Womans University, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Jong-Il Choi
- Department of Biotechnology and Engineering, Interdisciplinary Program of Bioenergy and Biomaterials, Chonnam National University, Gwangju, Republic of Korea
| | - Jeong Chan Joo
- Department of Biotechnology, The Catholic University of Korea, Bucheon, Gyenggi-do, Republic of Korea
| | - Hee Taek Kim
- Department of Food Science and Technology, College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, Chungnam National University, Daejeon, Republic of Korea
| | - Si Jae Park
- Department of Chemical Engineering and Materials Science, Graduate Program in System Health Science and Engineering, Ewha Womans University, Seoul, Republic of Korea
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Thatikayala D, Min B. Copper ferrite supported reduced graphene oxide as cathode materials to enhance microbial electrosynthesis of volatile fatty acids from CO 2. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2021; 768:144477. [PMID: 33736314 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2020.144477] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/18/2020] [Revised: 11/23/2020] [Accepted: 12/09/2020] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
Copper ferrite/reduced graphene oxide (CF/rGO) nanocomposites (NCs) was synthesized using the bio-combustion method and applied as a cathode catalyst in the microbial reduction of CO2 to volatile fatty acids (VFAs) in a single chamber microbial electrosynthesis system (MES). The synthesized NCs exhibited a porous network-like structure with a high surface area of CF/rGO (158.22 m2/g), which was 2.24 folds higher than that of CF. The Cyclic Voltammetry (CV) and Electrochemical Impedance Spectroscopy (EIS) analysis for CF/rGO/Carbon cloth (Cc) revealed a high reduction current density of -7.3 A/m2 and a low charge transfer resistance of 2.8 Ω. The isobutyrate and acetate in MES-2 (Cu/rGO/Cc) were produced at 35.37 g/m2/d, which was 1.53 folds higher than that of MES-1 (bare Cc: 23.10 g/m2/d). The columbic efficiency (77.78%) and total VFA concentration (1941.13 ± 83 mg COD/L) were noted to be 1.97 and 1.6 folds higher for MES-2 than MES-1, respectively. The Tafel plot drawn from the CV curves exhibited an exchange current density value of MES-2 that was 3.46 A/m2, and this value was 1.19 and 33.92 folds higher than that of MES-1 and abiotic CF/rGO/Cc, respectively. Field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM) observations revealed enhanced rod-shaped bacteria had grown on the cathode suggesting excellent biocompatible and multi-length scale porosity of CF/rGO catalysts for enhanced colonization of microbes. The phyla Proteobacteria (Betaproteobacteria), Bacteroidetes, and Firmicutes were highly abundant as the dominant microbial communities on the cathode, which might played a major role in bioelectrochemical CO2 reduction to VFAs. The results from this study clearly demonstrate that the CF/rGO/Cc electrode could serve as a conductive element between microbes and bactericidal electrodes with excellent electrochemical properties to enable performance of the MES.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dayakar Thatikayala
- Department of Environment Science and Engineering, Kyung Hee University, Yongin, Republic of Korea
| | - Booki Min
- Department of Environment Science and Engineering, Kyung Hee University, Yongin, Republic of Korea.
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Rückel A, Hannemann J, Maierhofer C, Fuchs A, Weuster-Botz D. Studies on Syngas Fermentation With Clostridium carboxidivorans in Stirred-Tank Reactors With Defined Gas Impurities. Front Microbiol 2021; 12:655390. [PMID: 33936011 PMCID: PMC8081853 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2021.655390] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/18/2021] [Accepted: 03/22/2021] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Syngas fermentation processes with acetogenic bacteria like Clostridium carboxidivorans have been proven to be a promising approach for the conversion of CO-rich waste gases into short- and medium-chain alcohols. The challenge of synthesis gas impurities, on the other hand, has always been a major concern for establishing an industrial-scale process, since some of the trace components in waste gases, such as NH3, H2S, and NOx, can have inhibiting or even toxic effects on microbial growth and product formation. Thus, this study aims to identify the effects of the main trace impurities in syngas from gasification of biogenic residues by the supply of defined concentrations of trace impurities to the cultivation medium. Autotrophic gas fermentation studies were performed with C. carboxidivorans in batch-operated fully-controlled stirred-tank bioreactors with continuous gas supply (80% CO and 20% CO2). The syngas components NH3 and H2S had a positive effect on both growth and alcohol formation (ethanol, 1-butanol, and 1-hexanol). The maximum biomass concentration was increased by more than 50%, and the maximum ethanol concentration was more than doubled with 5.0 g L−1 NH4Cl or 1.0 g L−1 H2S provided by the addition of 2.2 g L−1 thioacetamide. The addition of the nitrogen oxide species nitrate and nitrite, on the other hand, reduced biomass growth as well as alcohol concentrations. Already, the supply of 0.1 g L−1 NaNO3 resulted in reduced growth and 25% reduction of the maximum ethanol concentration. The production of the longer chain alcohols 1-butanol and 1-hexanol was reduced as well. All NaNO2 concentrations tested showed a strong toxic effect on the metabolism of C. carboxidivorans, and neither CO consumption nor product formation was observed after addition. As a consequence, NOx components in syngas from the gasification of biogenic residues should be reduced by the gasification process and/or selectively removed from the syngas after gasification.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anton Rückel
- Institute of Biochemical Engineering, Technical University of Munich, Garching, Germany
| | - Jens Hannemann
- Institute of Biochemical Engineering, Technical University of Munich, Garching, Germany
| | - Carolin Maierhofer
- Institute of Biochemical Engineering, Technical University of Munich, Garching, Germany
| | - Alexander Fuchs
- Institute of Biochemical Engineering, Technical University of Munich, Garching, Germany
| | - Dirk Weuster-Botz
- Institute of Biochemical Engineering, Technical University of Munich, Garching, Germany
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48
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Wirth S, Dürre P. Investigation of putative genes for the production of medium-chained acids and alcohols in autotrophic acetogenic bacteria. Metab Eng 2021; 66:296-307. [PMID: 33894339 DOI: 10.1016/j.ymben.2021.04.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/23/2020] [Revised: 04/06/2021] [Accepted: 04/16/2021] [Indexed: 10/21/2022]
Abstract
Gas fermentation is a technology for producing platform chemicals as well as fuels and one of the most promising alternatives to petrochemicals. Medium-chained acids and alcohols such as hexanoate and hexanol are particularly interesting due to their versatile application. This study elucidated the pathway of chain elongation in native C6 compound-producing acetogens. Essential genes of Clostridium carboxidivorans for synthesis of medium-chained acids and alcohols were identified in order to demonstrate their catalytic activity in the acetogenic model organism Acetobacterium woodii. Two such gene clusters were identified, which are responsible for conversion of acetyl-CoA to butyryl-CoA by reverse β-oxidation. Using RT-PCR it could be demonstrated that only genes of cluster 1 are expressed constitutively with simultaneous formation of C6 compounds. Based on genes from C. carboxidivorans, a modular hexanoyl-CoA synthesis (hcs) plasmid system was constructed and transferred into A. woodii. With the recombinant A. woodii strains AWO [pPta_hcs1], AWO [pPta_hcs2], AWO [pTet_hcs1], and AWO [pTet_hcs2] butyrate and hexanoate production under heterotrophic (1.22-4.15 mM hexanoate) and autotrophic conditions (0.48-1.56 mM hexanoate) with both hcs clusters could be detected. hcs Cluster 1 from C. carboxidivorans was transferred into the ABE-fermenting strain Clostridium saccharoperbutylacetonicum as well. For further analysis, genes were also cloned into the hcs plasmid system individually. The resulting recombinant C. saccharoperbutylacetonicum strains with just individual genes neither produced hexanoate nor hexanol, but the strains containing the entire gene cluster were capable of chain elongation. A production of 0.8 mM hexanoate and 5.2 mM hexanol in the fermentation with glucose could be observed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Steffen Wirth
- Institut für Mikrobiologie und Biotechnologie, Universität Ulm, Albert-Einstein-Allee 11, D-89081, Ulm, Germany.
| | - Peter Dürre
- Institut für Mikrobiologie und Biotechnologie, Universität Ulm, Albert-Einstein-Allee 11, D-89081, Ulm, Germany
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Dang J, Wang N, Atiyeh HK. Review of Dissolved CO and H 2 Measurement Methods for Syngas Fermentation. SENSORS (BASEL, SWITZERLAND) 2021; 21:2165. [PMID: 33808889 PMCID: PMC8003665 DOI: 10.3390/s21062165] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/07/2020] [Revised: 03/03/2021] [Accepted: 03/12/2021] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Syngas fermentation is a promising technique to produce biofuels using syngas obtained through gasified biomass and other carbonaceous materials or collected from industrial CO-rich off-gases. The primary components of syngas, carbon monoxide (CO) and hydrogen (H2), are converted to alcohols and other chemicals through an anaerobic fermentation process by acetogenic bacteria. Dissolved CO and H2 concentrations in fermentation media are among the most important parameters for successful and stable operation. However, the difficulties in timely and precise dissolved CO and H2 measurements hinder the industrial-scale commercialization of this technique. The purpose of this article is to provide a comprehensive review of available dissolved CO and H2 measurement methods, focusing on their detection mechanisms, CO and H2 cross interference and operations in syngas fermentation process. This paper further discusses potential novel methods by providing a critical review of gas phase CO and H2 detection methods with regard to their capability to be modified for measuring dissolved CO and H2 in syngas fermentation conditions.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Ning Wang
- Department of Biosystems and Agricultural Engineering, Oklahoma State University, Stillwater, OK 74078, USA; (J.D.); (H.K.A.)
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50
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He Y, Cassarini C, Marciano F, Lens PNL. Homoacetogenesis and solventogenesis from H 2/CO 2 by granular sludge at 25, 37 and 55 °C. CHEMOSPHERE 2021; 265:128649. [PMID: 33109359 DOI: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2020.128649] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/31/2020] [Revised: 09/30/2020] [Accepted: 10/15/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
CO2 fermentation is a promising process to produce biofuels like ethanol. It can be integrated in third generation biofuel production processes to substitute traditional sugar fermentation when supplied with cheap electron donors, e.g. hydrogen derived from wind energy or as surplus gas in electrolysis. In this study, granular sludge from an industrial wastewater treatment plant was tested as inoculum for ethanol production from H2/CO2 via non-phototropic fermentation at submesophilic (25 °C), mesophilic (37 °C) and thermophilic (55 °C) conditions. The highest ethanol concentration (17.11 mM) was obtained at 25 °C and was 5-fold higher than at 37 °C (3.36 mM), which was attributed to the fact that the undissociated acid (non-ionized acetic acid) accumulation rate constant (0.145 h-1) was 1.39 fold higher than at 25 °C (0.104 h-1). Methane was mainly produced at 55 °C, while neither acetic acid nor ethanol were formed. Ethanol production was linked to acetic acid production with the highest ethanol to acetic acid ratio of 0.514 at 25 °C. The carbon recovery was 115.7%, 131.2% and 117.1%, while the electron balance was almost closed (97.1%, 110.1% and 109.1%) at 25 °C, 37 °C and 55 °C, respectively. The addition of bicarbonate inhibited ethanol production both at 25 °C and 37 °C. Clostridium sp. were the prevalent species at both 25 and 37 °C at the end of the incubation, which possibly contributed to the ethanol production.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yaxue He
- National University of Ireland Galway, H91 TK33, Galway, Ireland.
| | - Chiara Cassarini
- National University of Ireland Galway, H91 TK33, Galway, Ireland
| | - Flora Marciano
- Department of Civil and Mechanical Engineering, University of Cassino and Southern Lazio, Italy
| | - Piet N L Lens
- National University of Ireland Galway, H91 TK33, Galway, Ireland
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