Production of short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) as chemicals or substrates for microbes to obtain biochemicals
Abstract Carboxylic acids have become interesting platform molecules in the last years due to their versatility to act as carbon sources for different microorganisms or as precursors for the chemical industry. Among carboxylic acids, short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) such as acetic, propionic, butyric...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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BMC
2023-06-01
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| Series: | Biotechnology for Biofuels and Bioproducts |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1186/s13068-023-02349-5 |
| _version_ | 1797811646131863552 |
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| author | Elia Tomás-Pejó Cristina González-Fernández Silvia Greses Christian Kennes Nuria Otero-Logilde María C. Veiga David Bolzonella Bettina Müller Volkmar Passoth |
| author_facet | Elia Tomás-Pejó Cristina González-Fernández Silvia Greses Christian Kennes Nuria Otero-Logilde María C. Veiga David Bolzonella Bettina Müller Volkmar Passoth |
| author_sort | Elia Tomás-Pejó |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Abstract Carboxylic acids have become interesting platform molecules in the last years due to their versatility to act as carbon sources for different microorganisms or as precursors for the chemical industry. Among carboxylic acids, short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) such as acetic, propionic, butyric, valeric, and caproic acids can be biotechnologically produced in an anaerobic fermentation process from lignocellulose or other organic wastes of agricultural, industrial, or municipal origin. The biosynthesis of SCFAs is advantageous compared to chemical synthesis, since the latter relies on fossil-derived raw materials, expensive and toxic catalysts and harsh process conditions. This review article gives an overview on biosynthesis of SCFAs from complex waste products. Different applications of SCFAs are explored and how these acids can be considered as a source of bioproducts, aiming at the development of a circular economy. The use of SCFAs as platform molecules requires adequate concentration and separation processes that are also addressed in this review. Various microorganisms such as bacteria or oleaginous yeasts can efficiently use SCFA mixtures derived from anaerobic fermentation, an attribute that can be exploited in microbial electrolytic cells or to produce biopolymers such as microbial oils or polyhydroxyalkanoates. Promising technologies for the microbial conversion of SCFAs into bioproducts are outlined with recent examples, highlighting SCFAs as interesting platform molecules for the development of future bioeconomy. |
| first_indexed | 2024-03-13T07:25:43Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-c12a93b487e44a12a953ca0a037a0f19 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2731-3654 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-03-13T07:25:43Z |
| publishDate | 2023-06-01 |
| publisher | BMC |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Biotechnology for Biofuels and Bioproducts |
| spelling | doaj.art-c12a93b487e44a12a953ca0a037a0f192023-06-04T11:23:32ZengBMCBiotechnology for Biofuels and Bioproducts2731-36542023-06-0116111710.1186/s13068-023-02349-5Production of short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) as chemicals or substrates for microbes to obtain biochemicalsElia Tomás-Pejó0Cristina González-Fernández1Silvia Greses2Christian Kennes3Nuria Otero-Logilde4María C. Veiga5David Bolzonella6Bettina Müller7Volkmar Passoth8Biotechnological Processes Unit, IMDEA EnergyBiotechnological Processes Unit, IMDEA EnergyBiotechnological Processes Unit, IMDEA EnergyChemical Engineering Laboratory, Faculty of Sciences and Center for Advanced Scientific Research, Centro de Investigaciones Científicas Avanzadas (CICA), BIOENGIN Group, University of La CoruñaChemical Engineering Laboratory, Faculty of Sciences and Center for Advanced Scientific Research, Centro de Investigaciones Científicas Avanzadas (CICA), BIOENGIN Group, University of La CoruñaChemical Engineering Laboratory, Faculty of Sciences and Center for Advanced Scientific Research, Centro de Investigaciones Científicas Avanzadas (CICA), BIOENGIN Group, University of La CoruñaDepartment of Biotechnology, University of VeronaDepartment of Molecular Sciences, Swedish University of Agricultural SciencesDepartment of Molecular Sciences, Swedish University of Agricultural SciencesAbstract Carboxylic acids have become interesting platform molecules in the last years due to their versatility to act as carbon sources for different microorganisms or as precursors for the chemical industry. Among carboxylic acids, short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) such as acetic, propionic, butyric, valeric, and caproic acids can be biotechnologically produced in an anaerobic fermentation process from lignocellulose or other organic wastes of agricultural, industrial, or municipal origin. The biosynthesis of SCFAs is advantageous compared to chemical synthesis, since the latter relies on fossil-derived raw materials, expensive and toxic catalysts and harsh process conditions. This review article gives an overview on biosynthesis of SCFAs from complex waste products. Different applications of SCFAs are explored and how these acids can be considered as a source of bioproducts, aiming at the development of a circular economy. The use of SCFAs as platform molecules requires adequate concentration and separation processes that are also addressed in this review. Various microorganisms such as bacteria or oleaginous yeasts can efficiently use SCFA mixtures derived from anaerobic fermentation, an attribute that can be exploited in microbial electrolytic cells or to produce biopolymers such as microbial oils or polyhydroxyalkanoates. Promising technologies for the microbial conversion of SCFAs into bioproducts are outlined with recent examples, highlighting SCFAs as interesting platform molecules for the development of future bioeconomy.https://doi.org/10.1186/s13068-023-02349-5Carboxylic acidsShort-chain fatty acidsBiosynthesisAnaerobic fermentationOrganic waste streamsPlatform chemicals |
| spellingShingle | Elia Tomás-Pejó Cristina González-Fernández Silvia Greses Christian Kennes Nuria Otero-Logilde María C. Veiga David Bolzonella Bettina Müller Volkmar Passoth Production of short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) as chemicals or substrates for microbes to obtain biochemicals Biotechnology for Biofuels and Bioproducts Carboxylic acids Short-chain fatty acids Biosynthesis Anaerobic fermentation Organic waste streams Platform chemicals |
| title | Production of short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) as chemicals or substrates for microbes to obtain biochemicals |
| title_full | Production of short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) as chemicals or substrates for microbes to obtain biochemicals |
| title_fullStr | Production of short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) as chemicals or substrates for microbes to obtain biochemicals |
| title_full_unstemmed | Production of short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) as chemicals or substrates for microbes to obtain biochemicals |
| title_short | Production of short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) as chemicals or substrates for microbes to obtain biochemicals |
| title_sort | production of short chain fatty acids scfas as chemicals or substrates for microbes to obtain biochemicals |
| topic | Carboxylic acids Short-chain fatty acids Biosynthesis Anaerobic fermentation Organic waste streams Platform chemicals |
| url | https://doi.org/10.1186/s13068-023-02349-5 |
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