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Karl Rumbold¹, Hugo J J van Buijsen, Vincent M Gray

¹School of Molecular and Cell Biology, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa. karl.rumbold@wits.ac.za

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Summary

Selecting microbes for lignocellulosic biomass fermentation requires a substrate-focused approach. Pichia stipitis and Aspergillus niger excel on diverse feedstocks, unlike other tested microbes.

Keywords:

bioprocessing filamentous fungi industrial biotechnology second generation feedstock

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Area of Science:

Biotechnology
Microbiology
Industrial Fermentation

Background:

Lignocellulosic biomass hydrolysates are increasingly used as industrial fermentation feedstocks.
These hydrolysates contain sugars, inhibitors, and salts, impacting microbial performance.
Evaluating microbial adaptability to diverse renewable feedstocks is crucial for sustainable bioproduction.

Purpose of the Study:

To compare the performance of six industrially relevant microorganisms on various lignocellulosic hydrolysates.
To assess the ability of selected microbes to utilize waste glycerol from biodiesel production.
To determine the optimal strategy for selecting microbial hosts for lignocellulosic biomass fermentation.

Main Methods:

Comparative analysis of six microbial species (two bacteria, two yeasts, two fungi) on four different lignocellulosic hydrolysates.
Assessment of microbial growth and substrate utilization capabilities.
Evaluation of waste glycerol utilization by selected microbial hosts.

Main Results:

Pichia stipitis and Aspergillus niger demonstrated the highest versatility in utilizing diverse feedstocks.
Escherichia coli, Corynebacterium glutamicum, Saccharomyces cerevisiae, and Trichoderma reesei showed varied substrate utilization efficiencies.
Significant differences in carbon source utilization and metabolite production (e.g., polyols, alcohols, organic acids) were observed among species.
P. stipitis and A. niger were most adapted to renewable feedstocks, while C. glutamicum and S. cerevisiae were least adapted.

Conclusions:

A substrate-oriented approach for selecting microbial hosts is more effective than a product-oriented approach for lignocellulosic hydrolysates.
This strategy minimizes the need for extensive metabolic engineering, reducing the requirement for multiple substrate utilization and detoxification pathways.
Focusing on a single biosynthesis route for the desired product simplifies metabolic engineering efforts for efficient lignocellulose utilization.