Thermodynamic Constraints on Electromicrobial Protein Production

Wise, Lucas; Marecos, Sabrina; Randolph, Katie; Hassan, Mohamed; Nshimyumukiza, Eric; Strouse, Jacob; Salimijazi, Farshid; Barstow, Buz

doi:10.3389/fbioe.2022.820384

Title: Thermodynamic Constraints on Electromicrobial Protein Production

Journal Article · 20 February 2022 · Frontiers in Bioengineering and Biotechnology

DOI: https://doi.org/10.3389/fbioe.2022.820384 · OSTI ID:1845937

Wise, Lucas; Marecos, Sabrina; Randolph, Katie; Hassan, Mohamed; Nshimyumukiza, Eric; Strouse, Jacob; Salimijazi, Farshid; Barstow, Buz

Global consumption of protein is projected to double by the middle of the 21st century. However, protein production is one of the most energy intensive and environmentally damaging parts of the food supply system today. Electromicrobial production technologies that combine renewable electricity and CO ₂ -fixing microbial metabolism could dramatically increase the energy efficiency of commodity chemical production. Here we present a molecular-scale model that sets an upper limit on the performance of any organism performing electromicrobial protein production. We show that engineered microbes that fix CO ₂ and N ₂ using reducing equivalents produced by H ₂ -oxidation or extracellular electron uptake could produce amino acids with energy inputs as low as 64 MJ kg ⁻¹ , approximately one order of magnitude higher than any previous estimate of the efficiency of electromicrobial protein production. This work provides a roadmap for development of engineered microbes that could significantly expand access to proteins produced with a low environmental footprint.

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Research Organization:: Cornell Univ., Ithaca, NY (United States)

Sponsoring Organization:: USDOE; USDOE Office of Science (SC)

Grant/Contract Number:: SC0020179

OSTI ID:: 1845937

Journal Information:: Frontiers in Bioengineering and Biotechnology, Journal Name: Frontiers in Bioengineering and Biotechnology Vol. 10; ISSN 2296-4185

Publisher:: Frontiers Media SACopyright Statement

Country of Publication:: Switzerland

Language:: English

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