A transcription factor-based biosensor for detection of itaconic acid

Itaconic acid is an important platform chemical that can easily be incorporated into polymers and has the potential to replace petrochemical-based acrylic or methacrylic acid. A number of microorganisms have been developed for the biosynthesis of itaconate including Aspergillus terreus, Escherichia coli and Saccharomyces cerevisiae. However, the number of strains and conditions that can be tested for increased itaconate titers are currently limited due to the lack of high-throughput screening methods. Here we identified itaconate-inducible promoters and their corresponding LysR-type transcriptional regulators from Yersinia pseudotuberculosis and Pseudomonas aeruginosa. We show that the YpItcR/Pccl inducible system is highly inducible by itaconic acid in the model gammaproteobacterium E. coli and the betaproteobacterium Cupriavidus necator (215- and 105-fold, respectively). The kinetics and dynamics of the YpItcR/Pccl inducible system are investigated and we demonstrate, that in addition to itaconate, the genetically encoded biosensor is capable of detecting mesaconate, cis-, and trans-aconitate in a dose-dependent manner. Moreover, the fluorescence-based biosensor is applied in E. coli to identify the optimum expression level of cadA, the product of which catalyzes the conversion of cis-aconitate into itaconate. The fluorescence output is shown to correlate well with itaconate concentrations quantified using high-performance liquid chromatography coupled with ultraviolet spectroscopy. This work highlights the potential of the YpItcR/Pccl inducible system to be applied as biosensor for high-throughput microbial strain development to facilitate improved itaconate biosynthesis

Low-temperature catalytic gasification of wet industrial wastes. FY 1993--1994 interim report

Process development research is continuing on a low-temperature, catalytic gasification system that has been demonstrated to convert organics in water (dilute or concentrated) to useful and environmentally safe gases. The system, licensed under the trade name Thermochemical Environmental Energy System (TEESO), treats a wide variety of feedstocks ranging from hazardous organics in water to waste sludges from food processing. The current research program is focused on the use of continuous-feed, tubular reactors systems for testing catalysts and feedstocks in the process. A range of catalysts have been tested, including nickel and other base metals, as well as ruthenium and other precious metals. Results of extensive testing show that feedstocks, ranging from 2% para-cresol in water to potato waste and spent grain, can be processed to > 99% reduction of chemical oxygen demand (COD). The product fuel gas contains from 40% up to 75% methane, depending on the feedstock. The balance of the gas is mostly carbon dioxide with < 5% hydrogen and usually < 1% ethane and higher hydrocarbons. The byproduct water stream carries residual organics from 10 to 1,000 mg/l COD, depending on the feedstock. The level of development of TEES has progressed to the initial phases of industrial process demonstration. Testing of industrial waste streams is under way at both the bench scale and engineering scale of development

Fumaric acid production by fermentation

The potential of fumaric acid as a raw material in the polymer industry and the increment of cost of petroleum-based fumaric acid raises interest in fermentation processes for production of this compound from renewable resources. Although the chemical process yields 112% w/w fumaric acid from maleic anhydride and the fermentation process yields only 85% w/w from glucose, the latter raw material is three times cheaper. Besides, the fermentation fixes CO2. Production of fumaric acid by Rhizopus species and the involved metabolic pathways are reviewed. Submerged fermentation systems coupled with product recovery techniques seem to have achieved economically attractive yields and productivities. Future prospects for improvement of fumaric acid production include metabolic engineering approaches to achieve low pH fermentations

Upgrade of Biomass-Derived Levulinic Acid via Ru/C-Catalyzed Hydrogenation to γ‑Valerolactone in Aqueous−Organic−Ionic Liquids Multiphase Systems

A liquid triphase system made by an aqueous phase, an organic phase, and an ionic liquid was designed and applied to the catalytic hydrogenation/dehydration of biomass-derived levulinic acid to γ-valerolactone. This paper demonstrates that, by operating at 100−150 °C and 35 atm of H2, both in the presence of Ru/C or of a homogeneous Ru precursor, the use of the triphase system designed to match the investigated reaction allows the following: (1) to obtain up to quantitative conversions and 100% selectivity toward the desired product; (2) to recover the product by simple phase separation; and (3) to preserve the catalyst activity for in situ recycles without loss of metal. Globally the investigated reaction proves the concept that a cradle-to-grave approach to the design of a catalytic reaction system can improve the global sustainability of a chemical transformation by improving efficiency, product isolation, and catalyst recycle