Metabolomics-based engineering for biofuel and bio-based chemical production in microalgae and cyanobacteria: A review

Yuichi Kato; Kosuke Inabe; Ryota Hidese; Akihiko Kondo; Tomohisa Hasunuma

doi:10.1016/j.biortech.2021.126196

Metabolomics-based engineering for biofuel and bio-based chemical production in microalgae and cyanobacteria: A review

Bioresour Technol. 2022 Jan;344(Pt A):126196. doi: 10.1016/j.biortech.2021.126196. Epub 2021 Oct 25.

Authors

Yuichi Kato¹, Kosuke Inabe¹, Ryota Hidese², Akihiko Kondo³, Tomohisa Hasunuma⁴

Affiliations

¹ Engineering Biology Research Center, Kobe University, 1-1 Rokkodai, Nada, Kobe 657-8501, Japan.
² Engineering Biology Research Center, Kobe University, 1-1 Rokkodai, Nada, Kobe 657-8501, Japan; Graduate School of Science, Innovation and Technology, Kobe University, 1-1 Rokkodai, Nada, Kobe 657-8501, Japan.
³ Engineering Biology Research Center, Kobe University, 1-1 Rokkodai, Nada, Kobe 657-8501, Japan; Graduate School of Science, Innovation and Technology, Kobe University, 1-1 Rokkodai, Nada, Kobe 657-8501, Japan; Department of Chemical Science and Engineering, Graduate School of Engineering, Kobe University, 1-1 Rokkodai, Nada, Kobe 657-8501, Japan.
⁴ Engineering Biology Research Center, Kobe University, 1-1 Rokkodai, Nada, Kobe 657-8501, Japan; Graduate School of Science, Innovation and Technology, Kobe University, 1-1 Rokkodai, Nada, Kobe 657-8501, Japan. Electronic address: hasunuma@port.kobe-u.ac.jp.

PMID: 34710610
DOI: 10.1016/j.biortech.2021.126196

Abstract

Metabolomics, an essential tool in modern synthetic biology based on the design-build-test-learn platform, is useful for obtaining a detailed understanding of cellular metabolic mechanisms through comprehensive analyses of the metabolite pool size and its dynamic changes. Metabolomics is critical to the design of a rational metabolic engineering strategy by determining the rate-limiting reaction and assimilated carbon distribution in a biosynthetic pathway of interest. Microalgae and cyanobacteria are promising photosynthetic producers of biofuels and bio-based chemicals, with high potential for developing a bioeconomic society through bio-based carbon neutral manufacturing. Metabolomics technologies optimized for photosynthetic organisms have been developed and utilized in various microalgal and cyanobacterial species. This review provides a concise overview of recent achievements in photosynthetic metabolomics, emphasizing the importance of microalgal and cyanobacterial cell factories that satisfy industrial requirements.

Keywords: Bio-based chemicals; Biofuel; Cyanobacteria; Microalgae; Photosynthetic metabolomics.

Publication types

Review

MeSH terms

Biofuels
Cyanobacteria* / genetics
Metabolic Engineering
Metabolomics
Microalgae*

Substances

Biofuels