Green algal hydrocarbon metabolism is an exceptional source of sustainable chemicals
Julian Wichmann1, Kyle J Lauersen1, Olaf Kruse1
1Bielefeld University, Faculty of Biology, Center for Biotechnology (CeBiTec), Universitätsstrasse 27, 33615 Bielefeld, Germany.
Abstract:
Microalgae are rapidly growing, low-input requiring, sun light-utilizing microorganisms capable of converting carbon dioxide into various natural products, a major portion of which are hydrocarbons. Their cellular compartmentalization and photosynthetic apparatus depend on robust turnover of two hydrocarbon classes, isoprenoids and acyl-lipids. This review summarizes the current understanding of algal hydrocarbon metabolism, including carbon partitioning capacities, the localization and size of precursor pools, environmental effects on flux distribution, and limiting factors towards efficient (heterologous) hydrocarbon production. Questions and challenges regarding our knowledge of algal hydrocarbon metabolism as well as guidelines for systematic engineering are presented. Recent engineering achievements indicate fundamental plasticity in the (heterologous) hydrocarbon metabolism of green algae while highlighting their potential as renewable sources of these products.
More Related Videos
09:10Experimental Protocol for Biodiesel Production with Isolation of Alkenones as Coproducts from Commercial Isochrysis Algal Biomass
Published on: June 24, 2016
11:08Cultivation of Green Microalgae in Bubble Column Photobioreactors and an Assay for Neutral Lipids
Published on: January 7, 2019
Related Concept Videos
Green Algae
Bioremediation
Lipid Catabolism
Other Algae
Red Algae
Reduction of Alkenes: Asymmetric Catalytic Hydrogenation
The metal catalyst used can be either heterogeneous or homogeneous. When hydrogenation of an alkene generates a chiral center, a pair of enantiomeric products is expected to form. However, an enantiomeric excess of one of the products can be facilitated using an enantioselective reaction or an...
