Recombinant Microorganism Co-Production of MEG and Acetone
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current biosynthesis pathways for producing monoethylene glycol (MEG) and three-carbon compounds like isopropanol face challenges such as low yield, redox balance issues, and excess biomass formation, making them inefficient and environmentally unfriendly due to reliance on fossil fuel-derived precursors.
Innovation Solution
Development of recombinant microorganisms with synergistic C2 and C3 branch pathways that co-produce MEG and three-carbon compounds like acetone, utilizing excess NADH to enhance yield and minimize biomass formation, using enzymes such as D-tagatose 3-epimerase, D-ribulokinase, and glycolaldehyde reductase to convert xylose into MEG and acetone.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If separate biosynthesis pathways are engineered for MEG or IPA production, then product yield is improved, but redox balance is disrupted and excess biomass formation occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines MEG production pathway and IPA production pathway into a single integrated biosynthetic system within the same microorganism. The C2 pathway produces MEG while generating NADH, and the C3 pathway consumes this NADH to produce IPA, merging two separate pathways into a coordinated system that resolves redox balance issues while maintaining high product yields
2Productivity
If separate biosynthesis pathways are engineered for MEG or IPA production, then product yield is improved, but excess biomass formation occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a self-regulating system where the byproduct NADH from MEG production is automatically consumed by the C3 pathway to produce IPA. This internal recycling mechanism prevents excess biomass formation by ensuring that reducing equivalents are productively utilized rather than being diverted to biomass synthesis, allowing high product yields without proportional increases in biomass
3Ease of manufacture
If fossil fuel-derived precursors are used, then production cost is reduced, but environmental friendliness deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent fundamentally changes the carbon source parameter from fossil fuel-derived precursors to renewable xylose. The engineered microorganism converts xylose through the C2 pathway to MEG and through the C3 pathway to IPA, maintaining production efficiency while eliminating the environmental harm associated with fossil fuel extraction and processing
4Quantity of substance
If NADH is produced in excess during C3 pathway, then reducing equivalents are available for C2 pathway, but energy balance may be disrupted
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses NADH as a metabolic intermediary that couples the C3 and C2 pathways. The C3 pathway generates NADH as a byproduct, which then serves as the reducing equivalent source for MEG production in the C2 pathway. This intermediary mechanism allows efficient transfer of reducing equivalents between pathways while maintaining overall energy balance through coordinated metabolic flux
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
The approach achieves high yield and efficient production of MEG and three-carbon compounds with minimized biomass formation, potentially exceeding 90% theoretical maximum yield without carbon fixation, providing an environmentally friendly alternative to fossil fuel-based processes.
Implementation Method 1
using enzymes such as D-tagatose 3-epimerase, D-ribulokinase, and glycolaldehyde reductase to convert xylose into MEG and acetone
Implementation Method 2
The presently disclosed process of co-producing MEG and one or more three-carbon compounds is synergistic by utilizing the excess NADH produced in the C3 branch pathway to feed the NADH requirement of the C2 branch pathway
Data Source
AI summary
The present application relates to recombinant microorganisms useful in the biosynthesis of monoethylene glycol (MEG) and one or more three-carbon compounds such as acetone, isopropanol or propene. The MEG and one or more three-carbon compounds described herein are useful as starting material for production of other compounds or as end products for industrial and household use. The application further relates to recombinant microorganisms co-expressing a C2 branch pathway and a C3 branch pathway for the production of MEG and one or more three-carbon compounds. Also provided are methods of producing MEG and one or more three-carbon compounds using the recombinant microorganisms, as well as compositions comprising the recombinant microorganisms and/or optionally the products MEG and one or more three-carbon compounds.