Genetically modified yeast and fermentation method for xylitol production

Genetically modified yeast cells with targeted enzyme deletions and overexpressions optimize xylitol production by reducing erythritol production, enhancing xylitol yield and efficiency in fermentation processes.

JP2026516976APending Publication Date: 2026-05-27CARGILL INC
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Patent Information

Authority / Receiving Office
JP · JP
Patent Type
Applications
Current Assignee / Owner
CARGILL INC
Filing Date
2024-05-02
Publication Date
2026-05-27

AI Technical Summary

Technical Problem

Conventional methods of xylitol production, such as chemically catalyzed hydrogenation of xylose from biomass-extracted xylan, are financially and environmentally costly, requiring high temperatures, pressures, large amounts of water, and metal catalysts, while fermentation processes for other organic molecules do not effectively address xylitol production due to overlapping metabolic pathways that produce unwanted byproducts like arabitol and erythritol.

Method used

Genetically modified yeast cells with deletions or disruptions of the erythrose reductase enzyme and overexpression of enzymes like xylitol phosphate dehydrogenase (XPDH) and xylitol-5-phosphate phosphatase (X5PP) are used in fermentation to enhance xylitol production, reducing erythritol production and optimizing the metabolic pathway for xylitol yield.

Benefits of technology

The modified yeast cells significantly reduce erythritol production, achieving higher xylitol titers and yields compared to unmodified cells, making the process more efficient and cost-effective.

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Abstract

Disclosed herein are genetically engineered yeast cells capable of producing xylitol, characterized by a deletion or disruption in a native gene encoding erythrose reductase having at least 60%, at least 65%, at least 70%, at least 75%, at least 80%, at least 85%, at least 90%, at least 95%, at least 98%, at least 99%, or 100% identity with at least one of SEQ ID NOs: 292 and 295. The genetically engineered yeast cells may be further genetically engineered to overexpress native RPE enzyme, express exogenous XPDH enzyme, express exogenous XKS enzyme, express exogenous XDH enzyme, overexpress native X5PP enzyme, and / or express exogenous X5PP enzyme.
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