Valorization of lignin-derived compounds into poly(3-hydroxybutyrate-co-3-hydroxyvalerate) by engineered Halomonas sp. Y3

• Published in: International journal of biological macromolecules 2023-09, Vol.249, p.126079-126079, Article 126079
• Main Authors: Tang, Hao, Li, Yuan-Qiu, Wang, Ming-Jun, Wang, Yan, Luo, Chao-Bing
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Engineering; Lignin-derived compounds; Poly(3-hydroxybutyrate-co-3-hydroxyvalerate)
• ISSN: 0141-8130; 1879-0003
• DOI: 10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2023.126079

Poly(3-hydroxybutyrate-co-3-hydroxyvalerate) (PHBV) is a biopolyester with great potential, but its high production cost via the propionate-dependent pathway has hindered its development. Herein, we engineer Halomonas sp. Y3 to achieve efficient conversion of various LDCs into PHBV without propionate supplement. Initially, we successfully achieve PHBV production without propionate supplement by overexpressing threonine synthesis. The resulting biopolyester exhibits a 3 HV proportion of up to 7.89 mol%, comparable to commercial PHBV (8 mol%) available from Sigma Aldrich (403105). To further enhance PHBV production, we rationally design the reconstruction of aromatic compound catabolism. The engineered strain Y3_18 efficiently assimilates all LDCs containing syringyl (S), guaiacyl (G), and p-hydroxyphenyl-type (H) units. From 1 g/L of S-, G-, and H-type LDCs, Y3_18 produces PHBV at levels of 449 mg/L, 488 mg/L, and 716 mg/L, respectively, with yields of 44.9 % (g/g), 48.8 % (g/g), and 71.6 % (g/g). Moreover, to improve PHBV yield from lignin, we integrate laccase-secretion and PHBV production modules. This integration leads to the accumulation of 425.84 mg/L of PHBV with a yield of 21.29 % (g/g) and a 3 HV proportion of 6.38 mol%. By harnessing the capabilities of Halomonas sp. Y3, we demonstrate an efficient and sustainable approach for PHBV production from a variety of LDCs. •PHBV production from LDCs by Halomonas sp. Y3 via the propionate-dependent pathway•Knockout PrpC enabled PHBV production from LDCs without propionate supplementation.•Overexpressing threonine synthesis pathway improved PHBV production from LDCs.•Engineering aromatic compound catabolism improving PHBV content and 3 HV proportion•Co-transformation of Y3_05 and Y3_18 produced 426 mg/L of PHBV from lignin.