Microbial Synthesis Of Aldehydes And Corresponding Alcohols

摘要

An improved process for alcohol production includes microbial fermentation using a genetically modified microorganism to produce substantial quantities of aldehydes that are stripped from the fermentation medium and condensed. So produced aldehydes are converted in an ex vivo process to corresponding alcohols.

主权项

1. A metabolically engineered microbial cell, comprising:
a recombinant nucleic acid encoding a pyruvate decarboxylase or a 2-ketoisovalerate decarboxylase; a promoter element operably coupled to the recombinant nucleic acid to express the pyruvate decarboxylase or the 2-ketoisovalerate decarboxylase in an amount effective to increase conversion of pyruvate or 2-ketobutyrate to an aldehyde as compared to the same cells without the recombinant nucleic acid; a knockout mutation in at least one pathway converting pyruvate to acetate; and a mutation or deletion of adhE or yqhD; wherein the mutation or deletion decreases alcohol dehydrogenase activity in the metabolically engineered microbial cell such that the alcohol dehydrogenase activity is decreased at least 70% as compared to the same cells without the mutation or deletion.