Continuous Valorization of Carbon Dioxide into the Fine Chemical Ectoine by Hydrogenovibrio marinus: A New Strategy for Pharmaceutical Production
Year: 2025
Type: article
Abstract: Current challenges in biopharmaceutical manufacturing, such as ectoine production, include high operational costs and limited availability. Transitioning to processes that valorize renewable carbon sources like CO 2 into ectoine can make production more sustainable and accessible to the economy and society. However, cell platforms that produce ectoine with CO 2 still require bioprocess optimization and resilient microorganisms able to continuously maintain high ectoine yields and CO 2 removals. A comprehensive screening of cultivation and operational strategies was conducted in six stirred-tank gas bioreactors using the strain Hydrogenovibrio marinus, a halophilic, fast-growing, hydrogenotrophic bacterium with low nutrient requirements. Gas residence times of 120 min at gas ratios of 10:40:50 CO 2:H 2:air (% v/v) and dilution rates of 0.25 d –1 boosted ectoine production and biomass growth during long-term operation. Under these conditions, ectoine productivity reached 5.0 ± 0.3 g m –3 d –1, with maximum specific ectoine contents of 134.0 ± 6.3 mg Ect g biomass –1, achieving yields similar to heterotrophic strains. This study demonstrates for the first time the feasibility of integrating ectoine production with continuous CO 2 abatement using H 2 as a clean and hazard-free energy source, which marks a significant advancement in sustainable ectoine manufacturing and CO 2 circularity.
Authors: E. Huang-Lin, R. Lebrero, S. Cantera
Institution: Universidad de Valladolid
Language: English
Subfield: Molecular Biology
Domain: Life Sciences
Open Access status: hybrid
Estimated APC paid: $4,500
OpenAlex ID: W4408244557