Improved CO2-derived polyhydroxybutyrate (PHB) production by engineering fast-growing cyanobacterium Synechococcus elongatus UTEX 2973 for potential utilization of flue gas

Hyejin Roh, Jeong Seop Lee, Hong Il Choi, Young Joon Sung, Sun Young Choi, Han Min Woo, Sang Jun Sim

    Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

    51 Citations (Scopus)

    Abstract

    Industrial application of cyanobacterial poly-β-hydroxybutyrate (PHB) production from CO2 is currently challenged by slow growth rate and low photoautotrophic PHB productivity of existing cyanobacteria species. Herein, a novel PHB-producing cyanobacterial strain was developed by harnessing fast-growing cyanobacteria Synechococcus elongatus UTEX 2973 with introduction of heterologous phaCAB genes. Under photoautotrophic condition, the engineered strain produced 420 mg L−1 (16.7% of dry cell weight) with the highest specific productivity of 75.2 mg L−1 d−1. When compared with a native PHB producer Synechocystis PCC 6803 under nitrogen deprivation, the engineered strain exhibited 2.4-fold higher PHB productivity. The performance of the engineered strain was further demonstrated in large scale cultivation using photobioreactor and outdoor cultivation employing industrial flue gas as the sole carbon source. This study can provide a promising solution to address petroleum-based plastic waste and contribute to CO2 mitigation.

    Original languageEnglish
    Article number124789
    JournalBioresource technology
    Volume327
    DOIs
    Publication statusPublished - 2021 May

    Bibliographical note

    Publisher Copyright:
    © 2021 Elsevier Ltd

    Keywords

    • Bioplastic
    • Carbon capture and utilization
    • Flue gas utilization
    • Polyhydroxybutyrate
    • Strain engineering

    ASJC Scopus subject areas

    • Bioengineering
    • Environmental Engineering
    • Renewable Energy, Sustainability and the Environment
    • Waste Management and Disposal

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