Multi-stage Microbial Synthesis for Oxygenated Hydrocarbons
Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for synthesizing organic compounds using CO2 as a carbon source face challenges such as low yields and lack of flexibility in fermentation conditions due to the use of highly specialized organisms and limited genetic accessibility, as well as the inability to combine the advantages of different organisms in a single cell.
Innovation Solution
A multistage process involving the reaction of CO2/CO mixtures with a first microorganism to produce acetate or ethanol, followed by separation and further processing with a second microorganism to form hydrocarbons substituted with oxygen atoms, allowing for increased carbon yield and flexibility in fermentation conditions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If highly specialized organisms are used to fix CO2 and synthesize organic compounds, then the synthesis capability is improved, but the genetic accessibility and ease of manipulation deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The invention divides the synthesis process into two separate stages performed by different microorganisms: Stage 1 uses specialized acetogenic bacteria to fix CO2 and produce acetate, while Stage 2 uses genetically accessible E. coli to convert acetate into target compounds. This segmentation allows each organism to be optimized for its specific function without compromising the other.
2Productivity
If properties of different organisms are combined in a single recombinant cell, then the sum of advantages is improved, but the difficulty of combining highly specialized organisms deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
Rather than attempting to combine multiple specialized organisms into one difficult-to-manage recombinant cell, the invention segments the functionality across two separate organisms that can be independently optimized and manipulated.
Solution Approach 2:
Acetate serves as an intermediary metabolite between the two organisms. The first organism produces acetate from CO2, which is then consumed by the second organism to produce the final target compounds. This intermediary approach allows the advantages of both organisms to be utilized without direct genetic combination.
3Device complexity
If a single microorganism is used for both CO2 fixation and product synthesis, then the process simplicity is improved, but the carbon yield and flexibility deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The invention segments the metabolic pathways into two distinct stages with different organisms, where the first organism is optimized for CO2 fixation efficiency and the second for product synthesis, thereby achieving high carbon yield while maintaining reasonable process simplicity through the use of a well-characterized intermediate (acetate).
4Productivity
If fermentation parameters are selected to increase synthesis of simple organic substances, then the production of target compounds is improved, but the flexibility in fermentation conditions deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The two-stage process allows independent optimization of fermentation conditions for each stage. Stage 1 can be run under conditions optimal for acetate production from CO2, while Stage 2 can use different conditions optimal for converting acetate to the desired product, thereby maintaining flexibility.
Solution Approach 2:
Different fermentation parameters can be applied to each stage independently. The first organism operates under parameters optimized for CO2 fixation and acetate production, while the second organism uses different parameters optimized for its specific metabolic pathway to the target compound.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This process achieves high carbon yield and flexibility in fermentation conditions, enabling the production of diverse hydrocarbons with improved efficiency by recycling CO2 and utilizing different microorganisms for each stage, thereby overcoming the limitations of prior art.
Implementation Method 1
reaction of a carbon source comprising at least one selected from CO2 and CO to give acetate and/or ethanol with a first microorganism
Implementation Method 2
reaction of the acetate and/or ethanol to give a hydrocarbon substituted with at least one group containing at least one oxygen atom with a second microorganism
Data Source
AI summary
The invention provides a process for the preparation of hydrocarbons substituted with at least one group containing at least one oxygen atom, comprising the process stepsA) reaction of a carbon source comprising at least one selected from CO2 and CO to give acetate and/or ethanol with a first microorganism,B) separating off of the acetate from the first microorganism,C) reaction of the acetate to give a hydrocarbon substituted with at least one group containing at least one oxygen atom with a second microorganism and optionallyD) purification of the hydrocarbon substituted with at least one group containing at least one oxygen atom.