Work

Microbial amino acid/protein production using nitrogen-fixing cyanobacteria without animal- or crop-derived nutrients

Year: 2025

Type: article

Abstract: Heterotrophic microorganisms are used in numerous fields but require nutrients derived from animals or crops, which results in a high environmental burden. In this study, we show that microorganisms can use extracts of the nitrogen-fixing cyanobacterium Trichormus sp. to produce amino acids and recombinant proteins. Bacillus subtilis , Corynebacterium efficiens , Escherichia coli , and Brevibacillus brevis grow faster in this extract than in conventional media. Moreover, B. subtilis and C. efficiens produce substantial amounts of amino acids, particularly aspartate- and glutamate-family amino acids. Furthermore, genetically modified Brevibacillus choshinensis secretes bovine beta-casein, human alpha-lactalbumin, human insulin-like growth factor 1, and human albumin from Trichormus extract, similar to conventional media. We describe a valuable microorganism culture method based on nitrogen-fixing cyanobacteria without the use of nutrients from animals and crops.

Source: Cell Reports Sustainability

DOI: 10.1016/j.crsus.2025.100409

Authors: Yuji Haraguchi, Tatsuya Shimizu

Institution: Tokyo Women's Medical University

Language: English

Topic: Microbial Metabolic Engineering and Bioproduction

Subfield: Molecular Biology

Field: Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology

Domain: Life Sciences

SDG: Zero hunger

Open Access status: gold

Estimated APC paid: $5,730