Enriching the Production of 2-Methyl-1-Butanol in Fermentation Process Using Corynebacterium crenatum

Abstract

Non-natural 2-methyl-1-butanol (2MB) has been biosynthesized through the modification of metabolic pathways using Corynebacterium crenatum, a non-model host. However, its production capacity is not effectively improved. In this study, the fermentation process was strengthened through factor combination design (FCD) for enhancing the production of 2MB. Our results showed that the highest production of 2MB, 3-methyl-1-butanol (3MB), ethanol, and total solvent was 4.87 ± 0.39g/L, 3.57 ± 0.21g/L, 5.74 ± 0.43g/L, and 14.18g/L, respectively, under the optimal fermentation conditions. The optimal fermentation conditions were determined through the FCD to be as follows: pH of 6.5, IPTG concentration of 1.2mM, fermentation temperature of 32°C, and fermentation time of 96h. This study provides a significant guidance for the optimal control technology of the genetically engineered C. crenatum, and also a useful reference for the industrial production of 2MB via the microbial fermentation approach.