ARS | Publication request: Exploring Lactobacillus buchneri for Biomass to Biofuels

Submitted to: Meeting Abstract
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: November 19, 2010
Publication Date: November 19, 2010
Citation: Liu, S., Bischoff, K.M., Leathers, T.D., Hughes, S.R., Rich, J.O. 2010. Exploring Lactobacillus buchneri for biomass to biofuels [abstract]. Symposium on Biocatalysis and Biotechnology. p. 59.

Technical Abstract: Gram-positive bacteria possess several desirable traits, including the ability to ferment multiple sugars simultaneously, to grow at lower pHs, and for some strains, to grow at a temperature range from 30**oC-50**oC. The Gram-positive Lactic acid bacteria (LAB) are considered attractive biocatalysts for biomass to biofuels for several reasons. LAB have GRAS (Generally Recognized As Safe) status. They lack cytochromes, are aero-tolerant or anaerobic and obligately fermentative. They ferment various carbohydrates and sugars (both hexoses and pentoses) naturally for growth and reconstruction. LAB have relative small genomes that range from 1.7~3.3 Mb. Genetic engineering tools are available in several model strains. In addition, LAB were found as source of spoilage in ethanol and ABE production processes, and most LAB species are tolerant to biofuel ethanol and butanol. Certain species, such as Lactobacillus brevis and Lactobacillus buchneri, are known to grow in the presence of inhibitors derived from plant materials such as wine polyphenolics or hop acids present in beer. Our recent work suggests that L. buchneri NRRL B-30929 can grow fast and simultaneously consume C5 and C6 sugars, a factor that facilitates complete consumption of all lignocellulosic-derived sugars without catabolite repression. Thus, these strains are desirable hosts for additional manipulations toward efficient conversion of biomass to fuels and chemicals. Results of using genetic engineering tools to modify L. buchneri for biomass to biofuels will be presented.