Tolerance of the nanocellulose-producing bacterium Gluconacetobacter xylinus to lignocellulose-derived acids and aldehydes

J Agric Food Chem. 2014 Oct 8;62(40):9792-9. doi: 10.1021/jf502623s. Epub 2014 Sep 16.

Abstract

Lignocellulosic biomass serves as a potential alternative feedstock for production of bacterial nanocellulose (BNC), a high-value-added product of bacteria such as Gluconacetobacter xylinus. The tolerance of G. xylinus to lignocellulose-derived inhibitors (formic acid, acetic acid, levulinic acid, furfural, and 5-hydroxymethylfurfural) was investigated. Whereas 100 mM formic acid completely suppressed the metabolism of G. xylinus, 250 mM of either acetic acid or levulinic acid still allowed glucose metabolism and BNC production to occur. Complete suppression of glucose utilization and BNC production was observed after inclusion of 20 and 30 mM furfural and 5-hydroxymethylfurfural, respectively. The bacterium oxidized furfural and 5-hydroxymethylfurfural to furoic acid and 5-hydroxymethyl-2-furoic acid, respectively. The highest yields observed were 88% for furoic acid/furfural and 76% for 5-hydroxymethyl-2-furoic acid/5-hydroxymethylfurfural. These results are the first demonstration of the capability of G. xylinus to tolerate lignocellulose-derived inhibitors and to convert furan aldehydes.

Keywords: Gluconacetobacter xylinus; aliphatic acids; bacterial nanocellulose; biotransformation; furan aldehydes; lignocellulose.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Acetic Acid / pharmacology
  • Aldehydes / pharmacology
  • Cellulose / metabolism
  • Formates / pharmacology
  • Furaldehyde / analogs & derivatives
  • Furaldehyde / metabolism
  • Furaldehyde / pharmacology
  • Furans / metabolism
  • Furans / pharmacology
  • Gluconacetobacter xylinus / drug effects*
  • Gluconacetobacter xylinus / metabolism*
  • Glucose / metabolism
  • Industrial Microbiology / methods
  • Levulinic Acids / pharmacology
  • Lignin / chemistry*

Substances

  • 5-hydroxymethyl-2-furoic acid
  • Aldehydes
  • Formates
  • Furans
  • Levulinic Acids
  • formic acid
  • lignocellulose
  • 5-hydroxymethylfurfural
  • Cellulose
  • Lignin
  • Furaldehyde
  • Glucose
  • 2-furoic acid
  • Acetic Acid
  • levulinic acid