Work

Metabolic Engineering of Clostridium cellulolyticum for Production of Isobutanol from Cellulose

Year: 2011

Type: article

Abstract: Producing biofuels directly from cellulose, known as consolidated bioprocessing, is believed to reduce costs substantially compared to a process in which cellulose degradation and fermentation to fuel are accomplished in separate steps. Here we present a metabolic engineering example for the development of a Clostridium cellulolyticum strain for isobutanol synthesis directly from cellulose. This strategy exploits the host's natural cellulolytic activity and the amino acid biosynthesis pathway and diverts its 2-keto acid intermediates toward alcohol synthesis. Specifically, we have demonstrated the first production of isobutanol to approximately 660 mg/liter from crystalline cellulose by using this microorganism.

Source: Applied and Environmental Microbiology

DOI: 10.1128/aem.02454-10

Authors: Wendy Higashide, Yongchao Li, Yunfeng Yang, James C. Liao

Institutions: Oak Ridge National Laboratory, University of California, Los Angeles

Language: English

Topic: Microbial Metabolic Engineering and Bioproduction

Subfield: Molecular Biology

Field: Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology

Domain: Life Sciences

SDGs: Affordable and clean energy, Responsible consumption and production

Open Access status: green

Funders: U.S. Department of Energy, Oak Ridge National Laboratory