Abstract
Carbon monoxide can act as a substrate for different modes of fermentative anaerobic metabolism. The trait of utilizing CO is spread among a diverse group of microorganisms, including members of bacteria as well as archaea. Over the last decade this metabolism has gained interest due to the potential of converting CO-rich gas, such as synthesis gas, into bio-based products. Three main types of fermentative CO metabolism can be distinguished: hydrogenogenesis, methanogenesis, and acetogenesis, generating hydrogen, methane and acetate, respectively. Here, we review the current knowledge on these three variants of microbial CO metabolism with an emphasis on the potential enzymatic routes and bio-energetics involved.
Highlights
Carbon monoxide is a tasteless, odorless gas, best known for its toxic characteristics
As syngas mainly consists of CO, H2, and CO2, autotrophic, CO-tolerant microorganisms are required as biocatalysts for fermentation of this gas
The main focus of this review is on fermentative CO metabolism, distinguishing hydrogenogenesis, acetogenesis, and methanogenesis with a special emphasis on the potential enzymatic routes and bio-energetics involved
Summary
Reviewed by: Michael Rother, Technische Universität Dresden, Germany Frank T. University of Maryland School of Medicine, USA Serge R. Specialty section: This article was submitted to Microbial Physiology and Metabolism, a section of the journal Frontiers in Microbiology. Carbon monoxide can act as a substrate for different modes of fermentative anaerobic metabolism. Over the last decade this metabolism has gained interest due to the potential of converting CO-rich gas, such as synthesis gas, into bio-based products. Three main types of fermentative CO metabolism can be distinguished: hydrogenogenesis, methanogenesis, and acetogenesis, generating hydrogen, methane and acetate, respectively. We review the current knowledge on these three variants of microbial CO metabolism with an emphasis on the potential enzymatic routes and bio-energetics involved
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