Influence of carbon and nitrogen concentration on itaconic acid production by the smut fungus Ustilago maydis. Issue 2 (6th January 2014)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Maassen, Nicole; Panakova, Monika; Wierckx, Nick; Geiser, Elena; Zimmermann, Martin; Bölker, Michael; Klinner, Ulrich; Blank, Lars Mathias
• Is Part Of: Engineering in life sciences. Volume 14:Issue 2(2014:Mar.)
• Page Start: 129
• Page End: 134
• Publication Date: 2014-01-06
• Subjects: Bioengineering -- Periodicals; 660.605
• DOI: 10.1002/elsc.201300043
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1618-0240

Abstract

<abstract abstract-type="main"> <title> <x xml:space="preserve">Abstract</x> </title> <p>Itaconic acid is a valuable platform compound for the production of bio‐based polymers, chemicals, and fuels. <italic>Ustilago maydis</italic> is a promising host for the production of itaconic acid from biomass‐derived substrates due to its unicellular growth pattern and its potential to utilize biomass‐derived sugar monomers and polymers. The potential of <italic>U. maydis</italic> for industrial itaconate production was assessed in pH‐controlled batch fermentations with varying medium compositions. Using 200 g/L glucose and 75 mM ammonium, 44.5 g/L of itaconate was produced at a maximum rate of 0.74 g L⁻¹ h⁻¹. By decreasing the substrate concentrations to 50 g/L glucose and 30 mM ammonium, a yield of 0.34 g/g (47 mol%) could be achieved. Itaconate production from xylose was also feasible. These results indicate that high itaconic acid titers can be achieved with <italic>U. maydis</italic>. However, further optimization of the biocatalyst itself through metabolic engineering is still needed in order to achieve an economically feasible process, which can be used to advance the development of a bio‐based economy.</p> </abstract>