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Quorum-sensing molecules increase ethanol yield from Saccharomyces cerevisiae.
Xing-Feng Huang1, Kenneth F Reardon1
1Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO 80523-1370, USA.
FEMS Yeast Research
|November 10, 2021
Summary
Adding yeast quorum-sensing molecules to Saccharomyces cerevisiae cultures inhibits growth, boosting ethanol yield. This nongenetic strategy enhances fermentation product yields by redirecting carbon from biomass.
Area of Science:
- Biotechnology
- Microbiology
- Metabolic Engineering
Background:
- Increasing fermentation product yield is crucial for industrial applications.
- Redirecting carbon flux from biomass synthesis to product formation is a key strategy.
- Nongenetic metabolic control offers advantages in applicability and ease of implementation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To identify and evaluate chemicals that inhibit Saccharomyces cerevisiae growth while enhancing ethanol yield.
- To explore the potential of yeast quorum-sensing molecules for improving fermentation efficiency.
Main Methods:
- Screening of eight potential growth-inhibitory chemicals in 24-well plate cultures.
- Evaluation of effective chemicals in larger cultivations to assess biomass and ethanol yields.
- Testing identified molecules (2-phenylethanol, tryptophol, tyrosol) in multiple yeast strains and bioreactor fermentations.
Main Results:
- Yeast quorum-sensing molecules 2-phenylethanol, tryptophol, and tyrosol increased ethanol yield in S. cerevisiae JAY 270.
- Up to 15% higher ethanol yields were observed across seven different yeast strains.
- 2-phenylethanol and tryptophol demonstrated efficacy in bioreactor fermentations, reducing biomass and increasing ethanol yields.
Conclusions:
- Yeast quorum-sensing molecules can be utilized to reduce Saccharomyces cerevisiae cell growth and improve ethanol yield.
- This approach offers a novel nongenetic strategy for enhancing the production of ethanol and other fermentation products.
- Manipulating native biological control systems presents a promising avenue for optimizing industrial yeast fermentations.
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