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Title: Engineering a Synthetic Microbial Consortium for Comprehensive Conversion of Algae Biomass into Terpenes for Advanced Biofuels and Bioproducts

Abstract

Recent strategies for algae-based biofuels have primarily focused on biodiesel production by exploiting high algal lipid yields under nutrient stress conditions. However, under conditions supporting robust algal biomass accumulation, carbohydrate and proteins typically comprise up to ~80% of the ash-free dry weight of algae biomass. Therefore, comprehensive utilization of algal biomass for production of multipurpose intermediate- to high-value bio-based products will promote scale-up of algae production and processing to commodity volumes. Terpenes are hydrocarbon and hydrocarbon-like (C:O>10:1) compounds with high energy density, and are therefore potentially promising candidates for the next generation of value added bio-based chemicals and “drop-in” replacements for petroleum-based fuels. In this study, we demonstrated the feasibility of bioconversion of proteins into sesquiterpene compounds as well as comprehensive bioconversion of algal carbohydrates and proteins into biofuels. To achieve this, the mevalonate pathway was reconstructed into an E. coli chassis with six different terpene synthases (TSs). Strains containing the various TSs produced a spectrum of sesquiterpene compounds in minimal medium containing amino acids as the sole carbon source. The sesquiterpene production was optimized through three different regulation strategies using chamigrene synthase as an example. The highest total terpene titer reached 166 mg/L, and was achieved by applying amore » strategy to minimize mevalonate accumulation in vivo. The highest yields of total terpene were produced under reduced IPTG induction levels (0.25 mM), reduced induction temperature (25°C), and elevated substrate concentration (20 g/L amino acid mixture). A synthetic bioconversion consortium consisting of two engineering E. coli strains (DH1-TS and YH40-TS) with reconstructed terpene biosynthetic pathways was designed for comprehensive single-pot conversion of algal carbohydrates and proteins to sesquiterpenes. The consortium yielded the highest total terpene yields (187 mg/L) at an inoculum ratio 2:1 of strain YH40-TS: DH1-TS, corresponding to 31 mg fuel/g algae biomass ash free dry weight. This study therefore demonstrates a feasible process for comprehensive algal biofuel production.« less

Authors:
 [1];  [1];  [1]
  1. Sandia National Lab. (SNL-CA), Livermore, CA (United States)
Publication Date:
Research Org.:
Sandia National Lab. (SNL-CA), Livermore, CA (United States)
Sponsoring Org.:
USDOE Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (EERE), Transportation Office. Bioenergy Technologies Office
OSTI Identifier:
1427274
Report Number(s):
SAND-2015-8885J
Journal ID: ISSN 9999-0014; 609811
DOE Contract Number:  
AC04-94AL85000
Resource Type:
Journal Article
Journal Name:
Sandia journal manuscript; Not yet accepted for publication
Additional Journal Information:
Journal Name: Sandia journal manuscript; Not yet accepted for publication; Journal ID: ISSN 9999-0014
Publisher:
Sandia
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English
Subject:
algae biofuel; protein bioconversion; terpene biosynthesis; synthetic consortium; monoterpene; sesquiterpene; terpene synthase; bioproducts

Citation Formats

Wu, Weihua, Wu, Benjamin Chiau-Pin, and Davis, Ryan Wesley. Engineering a Synthetic Microbial Consortium for Comprehensive Conversion of Algae Biomass into Terpenes for Advanced Biofuels and Bioproducts. United States: N. p., 2015. Web.
Wu, Weihua, Wu, Benjamin Chiau-Pin, & Davis, Ryan Wesley. Engineering a Synthetic Microbial Consortium for Comprehensive Conversion of Algae Biomass into Terpenes for Advanced Biofuels and Bioproducts. United States.
Wu, Weihua, Wu, Benjamin Chiau-Pin, and Davis, Ryan Wesley. 2015. "Engineering a Synthetic Microbial Consortium for Comprehensive Conversion of Algae Biomass into Terpenes for Advanced Biofuels and Bioproducts". United States. https://www.osti.gov/servlets/purl/1427274.
@article{osti_1427274,
title = {Engineering a Synthetic Microbial Consortium for Comprehensive Conversion of Algae Biomass into Terpenes for Advanced Biofuels and Bioproducts},
author = {Wu, Weihua and Wu, Benjamin Chiau-Pin and Davis, Ryan Wesley},
abstractNote = {Recent strategies for algae-based biofuels have primarily focused on biodiesel production by exploiting high algal lipid yields under nutrient stress conditions. However, under conditions supporting robust algal biomass accumulation, carbohydrate and proteins typically comprise up to ~80% of the ash-free dry weight of algae biomass. Therefore, comprehensive utilization of algal biomass for production of multipurpose intermediate- to high-value bio-based products will promote scale-up of algae production and processing to commodity volumes. Terpenes are hydrocarbon and hydrocarbon-like (C:O>10:1) compounds with high energy density, and are therefore potentially promising candidates for the next generation of value added bio-based chemicals and “drop-in” replacements for petroleum-based fuels. In this study, we demonstrated the feasibility of bioconversion of proteins into sesquiterpene compounds as well as comprehensive bioconversion of algal carbohydrates and proteins into biofuels. To achieve this, the mevalonate pathway was reconstructed into an E. coli chassis with six different terpene synthases (TSs). Strains containing the various TSs produced a spectrum of sesquiterpene compounds in minimal medium containing amino acids as the sole carbon source. The sesquiterpene production was optimized through three different regulation strategies using chamigrene synthase as an example. The highest total terpene titer reached 166 mg/L, and was achieved by applying a strategy to minimize mevalonate accumulation in vivo. The highest yields of total terpene were produced under reduced IPTG induction levels (0.25 mM), reduced induction temperature (25°C), and elevated substrate concentration (20 g/L amino acid mixture). A synthetic bioconversion consortium consisting of two engineering E. coli strains (DH1-TS and YH40-TS) with reconstructed terpene biosynthetic pathways was designed for comprehensive single-pot conversion of algal carbohydrates and proteins to sesquiterpenes. The consortium yielded the highest total terpene yields (187 mg/L) at an inoculum ratio 2:1 of strain YH40-TS: DH1-TS, corresponding to 31 mg fuel/g algae biomass ash free dry weight. This study therefore demonstrates a feasible process for comprehensive algal biofuel production.},
doi = {},
url = {https://www.osti.gov/biblio/1427274}, journal = {Sandia journal manuscript; Not yet accepted for publication},
issn = {9999-0014},
number = ,
volume = ,
place = {United States},
year = {Thu Oct 01 00:00:00 EDT 2015},
month = {Thu Oct 01 00:00:00 EDT 2015}
}