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Engineered microbial biofuel production and recovery under supercritical carbon dioxide

Author

Listed:
  • Jason T. Boock

    (Massachusetts Institute of Technology
    Miami University)

  • Adam J. E. Freedman

    (Massachusetts Institute of Technology
    Massachusetts Institute of Technology)

  • Geoffrey A. Tompsett

    (Worcester Polytechnic Institute)

  • Sarah K. Muse

    (Worcester Polytechnic Institute)

  • Audrey J. Allen

    (Worcester Polytechnic Institute)

  • Luke A. Jackson

    (Worcester Polytechnic Institute)

  • Bernardo Castro-Dominguez

    (Worcester Polytechnic Institute
    University of Bath)

  • Michael T. Timko

    (Worcester Polytechnic Institute)

  • Kristala L. J. Prather

    (Massachusetts Institute of Technology)

  • Janelle R. Thompson

    (Massachusetts Institute of Technology)

Abstract

Culture contamination, end-product toxicity, and energy efficient product recovery are long-standing bioprocess challenges. To solve these problems, we propose a high-pressure fermentation strategy, coupled with in situ extraction using the abundant and renewable solvent supercritical carbon dioxide (scCO2), which is also known for its broad microbial lethality. Towards this goal, we report the domestication and engineering of a scCO2-tolerant strain of Bacillus megaterium, previously isolated from formation waters from the McElmo Dome CO2 field, to produce branched alcohols that have potential use as biofuels. After establishing induced-expression under scCO2, isobutanol production from 2-ketoisovalerate is observed with greater than 40% yield with co-produced isopentanol. Finally, we present a process model to compare the energy required for our process to other in situ extraction methods, such as gas stripping, finding scCO2 extraction to be potentially competitive, if not superior.

Suggested Citation

  • Jason T. Boock & Adam J. E. Freedman & Geoffrey A. Tompsett & Sarah K. Muse & Audrey J. Allen & Luke A. Jackson & Bernardo Castro-Dominguez & Michael T. Timko & Kristala L. J. Prather & Janelle R. Tho, 2019. "Engineered microbial biofuel production and recovery under supercritical carbon dioxide," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 10(1), pages 1-12, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:nat:natcom:v:10:y:2019:i:1:d:10.1038_s41467-019-08486-6
    DOI: 10.1038/s41467-019-08486-6
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    Cited by:

    1. Lin, Cherng-Yuan & Lu, Cherie, 2021. "Development perspectives of promising lignocellulose feedstocks for production of advanced generation biofuels: A review," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 136(C).

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