Use of filamentous fungi as biocatalysts in the oxidation of 5-(hydroxymethyl)furfural (HMF)

• Published in: Bioresource technology 2022-01, Vol.344 (Pt A), p.126169-126169, Article 126169
• Main Authors: Troiano, Derek, Orsat, Valérie, Dumont, Marie-Josée
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Biocatalysis; Dicarboxylic Acids; Enzyme Catalysis; Fungi; Furaldehyde - analogs & derivatives; Furans; Oxidation; Sustainable Chemistry; Whole-Cell Catalysis
• ISSN: 0960-8524; 1873-2976
• DOI: 10.1016/j.biortech.2021.126169

[Display omitted] •Five species of filamentous fungi were tested for oxidative activity on HMF.•Three of the five species readily converted HMF to HMFCA.•Bio-conversion of HMF to HMFCA was optimized following a Box-Behnken design.•T. reesei was coupled with laccase/TEMPO in a one-pot chemo-biocatalytic cascade.•This cascade reaction achieved 88% molar yield of FDCA from HMF after 80 h. The objective of this study was to explore the use of filamentous fungi as oxidative biocatalysts. To that end, filamentous fungal whole-cells, comprising five different species were employed in the oxidation of 5-(hydroxymethyl)furfural (HMF). Two species (A. niger and T. reesei), which demonstrated superior HMF conversion and product accumulation, were further evaluated for growth on alternative substrates (e.g. pentoses) as well as for use in a chemo-biocatalytic reaction system. Concerning the latter, the two whole-cell biocatalysts were coupled with laccase/TEMPO in a one-pot reaction designed to enable catalysis of the three oxidative steps necessary to convert HMF into 2,5-furandicarboxylic acid (FDCA), a compound with immense potential in the production of sustainable and eco-friendly polymers. Ultimately, the optimal one-pot chemo-biocatalytic cascade system, comprising 1 g/L T. reesei whole cells coupled with 2.5 mM laccase and 20 mol% TEMPO, achieved a molar yield of 88% after 80 h.