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Engineering Pseudomonas putida for simultaneous catabolism of guaiacol and vanillin

Huan, Xinran LU (2024) KMBM01 20241
Applied Microbiology
Biotechnology
Biotechnology (MSc)
Abstract
Lignin, the most abundant aromatic polymer in nature, is a valuable renewable resource due to its high phenolic compound content. Utilizing depolymerized lignin for the bioproduction of valuable industrial precursors such as muconic acid has garnered significant attention. In this study, several genetically modified strains of Pseudomonas putida were constructed to bioconvert vanillin and guaiacol, enriched compounds in depolymerized lignin, into muconic acid. The introduction of a recombinant enzyme and the interruption of vanillic acid assimilation enabled the strain TMBFL042 to convert vanillin to guaiacol with high yield. By deleting the native catBC genes and introducing cytochrome P450 and ferredoxin reductase, the strain TMBFL050... (More)
Lignin, the most abundant aromatic polymer in nature, is a valuable renewable resource due to its high phenolic compound content. Utilizing depolymerized lignin for the bioproduction of valuable industrial precursors such as muconic acid has garnered significant attention. In this study, several genetically modified strains of Pseudomonas putida were constructed to bioconvert vanillin and guaiacol, enriched compounds in depolymerized lignin, into muconic acid. The introduction of a recombinant enzyme and the interruption of vanillic acid assimilation enabled the strain TMBFL042 to convert vanillin to guaiacol with high yield. By deleting the native catBC genes and introducing cytochrome P450 and ferredoxin reductase, the strain TMBFL050 was enabled to convert vanillin and guaiacol together into muconic acid. Adding glucose in TMBFL050 after 25 hours of cultivation increased the conversion yield further. Besides, a method for estimating in vivo reaction rates and identifying rate-limiting steps in multi-step bioconversions was explored. (Less)
Popular Abstract
Wearing Trees: Turning Lignin into Nylon
Imagine if we could take plant leftovers and turn them into your clothes. Sounds like magic, right? Well, meet lignin—a hidden superhero in the plant world! Lignin is a natural polymer found in almost every plant on Earth. It’s what makes trees stand tall and gives plants their sturdy structure.
Lignin is packed with aromatic compounds (fancy term for certain types of chemicals) that make it a goldmine for scientists looking to create new materials. Think of it as the plant world’s secret stash of goodies. The only problem? Lignin is tough and complicated, making it hard to break down and use.
In the past, lignin was mostly burned for energy in paper mills—a bit of a waste, don’t you think? But... (More)
Wearing Trees: Turning Lignin into Nylon
Imagine if we could take plant leftovers and turn them into your clothes. Sounds like magic, right? Well, meet lignin—a hidden superhero in the plant world! Lignin is a natural polymer found in almost every plant on Earth. It’s what makes trees stand tall and gives plants their sturdy structure.
Lignin is packed with aromatic compounds (fancy term for certain types of chemicals) that make it a goldmine for scientists looking to create new materials. Think of it as the plant world’s secret stash of goodies. The only problem? Lignin is tough and complicated, making it hard to break down and use.
In the past, lignin was mostly burned for energy in paper mills—a bit of a waste, don’t you think? But scientists are now discovering ways to break lignin down into smaller, useful molecules. Imagine turning a pile of twigs into ingredients for making things like plastics and biofuels. It's like turning trash into treasure!
So, what exactly can we make from lignin? One of the coolest things is muconic acid. This little molecule is a big deal because it can be transformed into products like nylon, which means your future clothes could be made from trees! Using lignin for these materials isn’t just cool—it’s also green. Traditional methods of making these chemicals rely on fossil fuels, which aren’t so great for our planet. By switching to lignin, we can cut down on pollution and save resources. It’s a win-win for both us and the environment!
In our recent experiment, we took this idea to the next level. We used a special type of bacteria called Pseudomonas putida and edited it to munch on lignin byproducts like guaiacol and vanillin, turning them into muconic acid. Imagine training a tiny army of microbes to clean up plant waste and spit out valuable chemicals—that’s pretty much what we did! And don’t worry, our final products are completely safe and free of genetically modified bacteria.
Our engineered bacteria could take both guaiacol and vanillin at the same time, turning them into muconic acid. This breakthrough could pave the way for making lots of everyday products, especially clothing materials like nylon and plastics like PET, more sustainably.
This lignin revolution is just getting started. Scientists are like modern-day alchemists, figuring out new ways to turn plant waste into valuable products. Who knows? Maybe one day your clothes, gadgets, and even your car will be made from trees! So next time you see a tree or a plant, remember: it's not just a pretty part of nature. It's also packed with potential, waiting to be unlocked by the clever minds of scientists. (Less)
Please use this url to cite or link to this publication:
author
Huan, Xinran LU
supervisor
organization
alternative title
Genetisk modifiering av Pseudomonas putida för samtidig katabolism av guaiakol och vanillin
course
KMBM01 20241
year
type
H2 - Master's Degree (Two Years)
subject
keywords
Pseudomonas putida, vanillin, guaiacol, muconic acid, bioconversion, applied microbiology
language
English
id
9161298
date added to LUP
2024-06-12 16:32:02
date last changed
2024-06-12 16:32:02
@misc{9161298,
  abstract     = {{Lignin, the most abundant aromatic polymer in nature, is a valuable renewable resource due to its high phenolic compound content. Utilizing depolymerized lignin for the bioproduction of valuable industrial precursors such as muconic acid has garnered significant attention. In this study, several genetically modified strains of Pseudomonas putida were constructed to bioconvert vanillin and guaiacol, enriched compounds in depolymerized lignin, into muconic acid. The introduction of a recombinant enzyme and the interruption of vanillic acid assimilation enabled the strain TMBFL042 to convert vanillin to guaiacol with high yield. By deleting the native catBC genes and introducing cytochrome P450 and ferredoxin reductase, the strain TMBFL050 was enabled to convert vanillin and guaiacol together into muconic acid. Adding glucose in TMBFL050 after 25 hours of cultivation increased the conversion yield further. Besides, a method for estimating in vivo reaction rates and identifying rate-limiting steps in multi-step bioconversions was explored.}},
  author       = {{Huan, Xinran}},
  language     = {{eng}},
  note         = {{Student Paper}},
  title        = {{Engineering Pseudomonas putida for simultaneous catabolism of guaiacol and vanillin}},
  year         = {{2024}},
}