Unlocking the potential of Cupriavidus necator H16 as a platform for bioproducts production from carbon dioxide

The rapid global increase in fossil fuel and energy consumption has resulted in the accumulation of greenhouse gases, especially carbon dioxide (CO₂), thus contributing to climate change. Therefore, transforming CO₂ into valuable products could yield beneficial outcomes. In this review, the capabilities of Cupriavidus necator H16, a light-independent chemoautotrophic bacterium, as a host platform for the transformation of CO₂ into diverse products are explored. We begin by examining the progress in synthetic biology toolkits, gas fermentation technologies, and engineering approaches, considering the chemoautotrophic metabolic traits of C. necator to enhance the capacity of the strain for CO₂ fixation. Additionally, recent research focused on the metabolic engineering of C. necator H16 for the conversion of CO₂ into biodegradable plastics, biofuels, bioactive compounds, and single-cell proteins was reviewed. Finally, we address the limitations affecting the advancement and utilization of C. necator H16 strain, such as inefficiencies and the range of product types, and offer several recommendations for enhancement. This review acts as a resource for the development of C. necator H16 cell factories and the industrial manufacture of products derived from CO₂.