Lignin conversion to β-ketoadipic acid by Pseudomonas putida via metabolic engineering and bioprocess development

Sci Adv. 2023 Sep 8;9(36):eadj0053. doi: 10.1126/sciadv.adj0053. Epub 2023 Sep 6.

Abstract

Bioconversion of a heterogeneous mixture of lignin-related aromatic compounds (LRCs) to a single product via microbial biocatalysts is a promising approach to valorize lignin. Here, Pseudomonas putida KT2440 was engineered to convert mixed p-coumaroyl- and coniferyl-type LRCs to β-ketoadipic acid, a precursor for performance-advantaged polymers. Expression of enzymes mediating aromatic O-demethylation, hydroxylation, and ring-opening steps was tuned, and a global regulator was deleted. β-ketoadipate titers of 44.5 and 25 grams per liter and productivities of 1.15 and 0.66 grams per liter per hour were achieved from model LRCs and corn stover-derived LRCs, respectively, the latter representing an overall yield of 0.10 grams per gram corn stover-derived lignin. Technoeconomic analysis of the bioprocess and downstream processing predicted a β-ketoadipate minimum selling price of $2.01 per kilogram, which is cost competitive with fossil carbon-derived adipic acid ($1.10 to 1.80 per kilogram). Overall, this work achieved bioproduction metrics with economic relevance for conversion of lignin-derived streams into a performance-advantaged bioproduct.

MeSH terms

  • Carbon
  • Lignin
  • Metabolic Engineering*
  • Pseudomonas putida* / genetics

Substances

  • 3-oxoadipic acid
  • Lignin
  • Carbon