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Biobased organic acids production by metabolically engineered microorganisms
1Department of Biology & Biological Engineering, Chalmers University of Technology, SE412 96 Gothenburg, Sweden; Novo Nordisk Foundation Center for Biosustainability, Chalmers University of Technology, SE412 96 Gothenburg, Sweden.
Current Opinion in Biotechnology
|January 10, 2016
Summary
Microbial fermentation offers a sustainable route for producing key organic acids like citric and lactic acid. Modern metabolic engineering enhances microbes for producing succinic acid and 3-hydroxypropionic acid, addressing production challenges.
Area of Science:
- Biotechnology and Industrial Microbiology
- Sustainable Chemical Production
- Metabolic Engineering
Background:
- Microbial fermentation is a traditional method for organic acid production, primarily in the food industry.
- There is a growing demand for sustainable bioprocesses to produce fuels, chemicals, and materials from renewable resources.
- Organic acids are crucial building block chemicals derivable from biomass.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the current state of microbial production for citric acid and lactic acid.
- To highlight advancements in metabolic engineering for enhanced organic acid biosynthesis.
- To discuss limitations and challenges in microbial organic acid production.
Main Methods:
- Review of existing literature on microbial organic acid production.
- Focus on metabolic engineering strategies for high-performance microbial strains.
- Analysis of challenges in scaling up bioprocesses for succinic acid and 3-hydroxypropionic acid.
Main Results:
- Established microbial platforms for citric acid and lactic acid production are reviewed.
- Metabolic engineering approaches show promise for developing superior strains for succinic acid and 3-hydroxypropionic acid.
- Key bottlenecks in microbial organic acid production are identified.
Conclusions:
- Microbial production of organic acids is expanding beyond the food industry into chemical and fuel sectors.
- Metabolic engineering is pivotal for optimizing microbes for efficient production of key organic acids.
- Addressing current limitations is essential for advancing sustainable bio-based chemical manufacturing.
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