Microenvironment: An efficient avenue for converting CO2 to high-value compounds

• Published in: Renewable & sustainable energy reviews 2023-12, Vol.188, p.113809, Article 113809
• Main Authors: Ji, Xiuling, Guo, Hao, Xue, Yaju, Huang, Yuhong, Zhang, Suojiang
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Artificial anabolic pathway; CO2; Enzyme catalysis; Enzyme engineering; Gaseous substrate; High-value compounds; Microenvironment
• ISSN: 1364-0321; 1879-0690
• DOI: 10.1016/j.rser.2023.113809

The greenhouse gas CO2 is of considerable and particular interest for use as a next generation feedstock in different types of bioconversions to create valuable products on a large scale. However, this gaseous subsrate is a highly stable molecule with strong C=O bonds, non-polarity, low electron, and proton affinity, posing challenges for efficient enzymatic bioconversion in aqueous media. To demonstrate the construction of efficient catalytic systems, in this review, we first discuss recent advances in engineering enzyme structures and optimal microenvironments to improve the bioactivation efficiency of CO2 to C1 compounds. Based on these understandings, we then discuss the construction of artificial multi-enzymatic cascade reaction pathways or enzyme-assisted microbial synthesis pathways for further conversion to multicarbon compounds from CO2. Finally, we highlight the perspectives of microenvironment controlling enzymatic bioconversion of CO2 as feedstock for a future sustainable world. Greenhouse gas CO2 used as a next generation feedstock in enzymatic bioconversions to create valuable compounds. [Display omitted] •Strategies to improve stability and efficiency of key CO2 activation enzymes.•Engineering microenvironment for CO2 bioactivation to C1 compounds.•Advances in constructing artificial anabolic pathways to produce C2+ from CO2.•Perspectives and future research directions for green enzymatic CO2 conversion.