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Effective formulations require a precise blend of components, and this principle holds true for biotechnology as well.
Researchers at Osaka Metropolitan University have unveiled a groundbreaking genetic framework that transforms yeast into a compact and efficient eco-friendly facility, capable of converting methanol into D-lactic acid. This compound is crucial in the production of biodegradable plastics and pharmaceuticals. The advancement has the potential to diminish our dependence on petroleum-based methods and pave the way for sustainable chemical manufacturing.
Lactic acid plays a significant role in various industries, ranging from food and cosmetics to pharmaceuticals and bioplastics. It can be found in two isomers: L-lactic acid and D-lactic acid. However, D-lactic acid is notably more scarce and costly in comparison to L-lactic acid.
“Traditional lactic acid bacteria predominantly generate L-lactic acid, while conventional chemical synthesis yields a blend of both isomers,” explained Ryosuke Yamada, an associate professor in the Graduate School of Engineering at Osaka Metropolitan University and the principal investigator of the study.
In their quest for a more effective method to produce D-lactic acid, the researchers focused on the yeast species Komagataella phaffii, which is adept at utilizing methanol. Their objective was to discover the optimal mix of D-lactate dehydrogenase (D-LDH) genes and their corresponding promoters to enhance the yeast’s capability to generate D-lactic acid from methanol. D-LDH serves as the vital enzyme that facilitates the conversion of precursor substances into D-lactic acid, whereas promoters are DNA segments that control gene expression.
Through experiments involving five distinct D-LDH genes and eight different promoters, the team successfully identified a combination that increased D-lactic acid output by 1.5 times compared to other methanol-dependent processes.
“To our knowledge, the yeast strain we engineered achieved the highest yield documented to date when using methanol as the exclusive carbon source,” stated Yamada.
The results of this research underscore the potential of engineered yeast strains to be customized for the production of a diverse array of valuable compounds for industrial applications. Amid increasing global concerns regarding the depletion of fossil fuels and environmental degradation, synthesizing chemicals from renewable carbon sources like methanol represents a vital step towards sustainability.
“This research illustrates that meticulous optimization of gene and promoter combinations can significantly enhance the productivity of microbial processes, providing a sustainable alternative to traditional chemical production reliant on petroleum,” remarked Yamada.
The findings from this research are detailed in the journal Biotechnology for Biofuels and Bioproducts.
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