Xanthobacter Strain PHA Reduction for Protein Yield
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Solution Overview
Problem
Traditional methods for producing protein and biomass using chemoautotrophic microorganisms face challenges such as varying growth rates, yield, and scalability issues, as well as unwanted production of polyhydroxyalkanoic acids (PHAs) under metabolic stress, which reduces carbon yield and is undesirable for non-bioplastic applications.
Innovation Solution
A genetically modified variant of the bacterial strain VTT-E-193585 with reduced PHA production, achieved through gene disruptions of phaC1 and/or phaC2, is cultured in continuous culture with hydrogen as the energy source and carbon dioxide as the carbon source, maintaining favorable properties for biomass and protein production.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If chemoautotrophic microorganisms are cultured under metabolic stress (e.g., nitrogen limitation), then energy storage in the form of PHAs increases, but carbon yield decreases and biomass production for non-bioplastic applications is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and removes the harmful function of PHA synthesis by disrupting the phaC1 and phaC2 genes. This genetic modification eliminates the pathway that converts carbon into PHAs, thereby preventing carbon loss while maintaining the bacteria's ability to grow and produce biomass under various cultivation conditions including metabolic stress
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the genetic parameters of the bacterial strain by introducing gene disruptions in phaC1 and phaC2. This parameter change fundamentally alters the metabolic behavior of the bacteria, preventing PHA accumulation while preserving growth characteristics and biomass production capacity
2Adaptability or versatility
If various chemoautotrophic microorganisms are selected for protein production, then diversity in growth properties and biomass composition is available, but insufficient growth rate and yield prevent economically viable large-scale processes
Solution Approach 1:
The patent optimizes specific genetic parameters of Xanthobacter strains by disrupting phaC1 and phaC2 genes, resulting in improved productivity. The modified strains exhibit enhanced growth rates and carbon yield compared to wild-type strains, making them suitable for economically viable large-scale protein production while maintaining the desirable biomass composition
3Quantity of substance
If PHA production is increased under metabolic stress in large bioreactors, then energy storage capacity is improved, but carbon yield is reduced and the process becomes unsuitable for protein/biomass production
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the PHA production pathway through gene disruption of phaC1 and phaC2, thereby extracting the unwanted energy storage function. This allows the bacteria to channel all carbon resources toward biomass and protein production instead of diverting carbon into PHA synthesis, even under metabolic stress conditions in large bioreactors
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 modified strain effectively reduces PHA production while retaining suitability for large-scale protein and biomass production, enhancing carbon yield and suitability for food or feed applications by maintaining energy storage efficiency and safety profiles.
Implementation Method 1
chemoautotrophic bacteria, for example of the genus Xanthobacter, under certain conditions store energy in the form of PHAs
Implementation Method 2
carbon dioxide fixation by a hydrogen-oxidizing bacterial isolate
Data Source
AI summary
Variant chemoautotrophic bacteria of the genus Xanthobacter including a genetic modification that reduces the bacterial production of polyhydroxyalkanoic acids. Furthermore, the present disclosure relates to continuous culture processes for the production of protein or biomass using variant chemoautotrophic bacteria, said process including supply of gases and minerals to the cells. The present disclosure also relates to the products of these processes and use of these products in e.g. food or feed.Reference is made to the Identification of the Microorganism, having the Identification reference given by the DEPOSITOR of SoF1-2.0 and with the Accession number given by the INTERNATIONAL DEPOSITORY AUTHORITY of VTT E-213595. The date of the original deposit is Apr. 19, 2021