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Highly efficient polyhydroxyalkanoate production from lignin using genetically engineered Halomonas sp. Y3
Yuan-Qiu Li1, Ming-Jun Wang2, Chao-Bing Luo2
1College of Life Science, Leshan Normal University, Leshan 614000, China; College of Life Sciences, Capital Normal University, Beijing 100064, China.
Bioresource Technology
|December 26, 2022
Summary
This study engineered microbes for efficient lignin conversion into polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHA). It achieved record PHA titers, offering a greener route for valuable chemical production from lignin waste.
Area of Science:
- Biotechnology
- Microbial Engineering
- Biorefining
Background:
- Lignin degradation is a major hurdle in biological valorization, limiting efficient conversion.
- Current methods face biochemical limitations in depolymerizing lignin effectively.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop an efficient laccase secretion system for enhanced lignin depolymerization.
- To engineer polyhydroxyalkanoate (PHA) biosynthesis for high-yield production from lignin derivatives.
- To establish a microbial platform for sustainable PHA production from lignin.
Main Methods:
- Engineered a highly efficient laccase secretion apparatus in Halomonas sp. Y3.
- Optimized PHA biosynthesis pathways for increased product yield.
- Integrated laccase secretion and PHA production modules.
- Developed a non-sterilized fermentation process.
Main Results:
- Achieved a high laccase enzyme activity of 184 U/mL.
- Produced PHA titers of 286, 742, and 868 mg/L from alkaline lignin, catechol, and protocatechuate.
- Reached record PHA titers of 693 and 1209 mg/L from lignin and lignin-containing streams.
- Further improved PHA titers to 740 and 1314 mg/L using non-sterilized fermentation.
Conclusions:
- The developed microbial platform enables cost-effective and environmentally friendly PHA production from lignin.
- This work provides novel insights into lignin conversion by extremophilic microbes.
- The engineered system overcomes biochemical limitations in lignin valorization.
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