Biotechnological Potential Research Articles

Unveiling the Perspective on Weissella confusa as a Promising Biocontrol Agent Against Fusaria

The biotechnological potential of the lactic acid bacterial genus Weissella has not been fully unearthed. Since Weissella have not been tested against Fusaria and their mycotoxins, newly isolated Weissella confusa strains were characterized and tested for their antifungal capacities on Fusarium plant pathogens. W. confusa BF2 and ML2 successfully inhibited Fusarium verticillioides NCIM 1100, F. verticillioides NCIM 1099, Fusarium graminearum MTCC 2089, and Fusarium oxysporum MTCC 284 in co-cultures. Ethyl acetate extracts of the cell-free culture supernatants (CFCS) of W. confusa also exhibited antifungal activity against the tested fungal cultures. The main mycotoxins of Fusaria were tested against the Weissella isolates. In MRS broth, W. confusa BF2 was resistant to the Fusarium mycotoxins (deoxynivalenol, zearalenone, T2, and fumonisin B1), while the ML2 strain showed 22.1–24.5% growth inhibition. Meanwhile, neither bacterium showed potential in mycotoxin reduction. The study highlighted that W. confusa BF2 and ML2 and their CFCS are suitable for Fusarium growth inhibition, as shown on surface-sterilized peanuts and wheat grains, but not for mycotoxin elimination.

Waste-Free Glucose to Erythritol Conversion—Innovations with Yarrowia lipolytica Wratislavia K1 UV15

This study investigates the waste-free bioconversion of glucose to erythritol using the UV-mutagenized strain Yarrowia lipolytica Wratislavia KI UV15. This research focuses on optimizing fermentation parameters to enhance erythritol yield, with a key emphasis on utilizing post-crystallization erythritol filtrate as a primary carbon source, promoting a cost-effective and sustainable approach to erythritol production. The experimental design included systematic variations in ammonium sulfate concentration, yeast extract supplementation, and initial glucose concentration. The results demonstrate that the UV15 strain achieves high erythritol production efficiency. An optimal nitrogen source concentration (3.1 g/L) and reduced yeast extract levels (0.25 g/L) provided the best results, achieving a maximum erythritol concentration of 174.8 g/L with a yield of 58.2%. Furthermore, lowering the initial glucose concentration further improved process efficiency, confirming the feasibility of using post-crystallization filtrate as an effective and sustainable carbon source. These findings highlight the biotechnological potential of Y. lipolytica UV15 in erythritol production, demonstrating its adaptability to waste-derived substrates and advancing the development of economically viable, environmentally sustainable production methods.

Characterization of Bioactive Metabolites in Phormidium sp. PB21: Pigment Production, Antimicrobial Potential, and Toxicity Assessment

ABSTRACTThis study investigates the morphological characteristics, pigment production, antimicrobial activity, and toxicity of secondary metabolites from the filamentous cyanobacterium Phormidium sp. PB21, isolated from freshwater ecosystems. The strain demonstrated significant potential for bioactive compound production, as evidenced by its chlorophyll‐a and carotenoid production. Chlorophyll‐a levels increased at 0.071 mg/mL by day 24, reflecting robust photosynthetic activity, while carotenoid content reached a maximum of 1.6 mg/mL under controlled conditions, highlighting its potential for pigment‐based applications. Antimicrobial assays using methanol: chloroform (1:3) crude extracts revealed inhibition of human pathogens, including Serratia sp. (12 mm) and Pseudomonas aeruginosa (11 mm), with minimum inhibitory concentrations as low as 15.6 µg/mL for specific fractions. Toxicity assessment using Artemia salina indicated dose‐dependent effects, with LC50 values of 93 and 82 µg/mL for fractions 3 and 4, respectively, suggesting potential as natural bioactive agents. The gas chromatography‐high‐resolution mass spectrometry analysis of the sample identified key bioactive compounds, including decanoic acid, 5‐acetoxytridecane, and 1‐undecanol, based on their characteristic m/z values. These compounds exhibit potential antimicrobial, anti‐inflammatory, and pharmacological properties, highlighting the sample's promising therapeutic and industrial applications. These findings emphasize the biotechnological potential of Phormidium sp. PB21, particularly in antimicrobial and pigment production applications.

Identification and Regioselectivity of a 4'‐O‐Methyltransferase From Chemically Diverse Populations of Chrysanthemum

ABSTRACTChrysanthemum morifolium Ramat, as food and drug homolog material, exhibits unique pharmacological activity due to richness in diverse flavonoids. Chrysanthemum cultivated in northern China is particularly rich in 4'‐methoxylated flavones, yet the mechanism responsible for methoxyflavone biosynthesis in chrysanthemum remains elusive. In this study, an O‐methyltransferase (OMT) (CmOMT3) from chrysanthemum was isolated and identified as a class II OMT through phylogenetic and sequence analysis. To evaluate the biotechnological potential of CmOMT3, 12 flavonoids and phenolic acids were biotransformed using CmOMT3‐transformed Escherichia coli, revealing that recombinant CmOMT3 transfers methyl to the hydroxyl group at C‐4' position of multiple phenylpropanoid compounds with broad substrate selectivity. The catalytic conversion rates of CmOMT3 were notably high for eriodictyol (77.4%) and chlorogenic acid (53.34%), followed by luteolin (49.42%) and caffeic acid (37.77%). Through molecular docking and site‐directed mutagenesis, key residues Asn123 and His175 of CmOMT3 had lowest binding energy when mutated to His (−4.76 kcal/mol) and Met (−5.96 kcal/mol), respectively. The mutants N123H and N123A enhanced catalytic activity with substrate conversion of apigenin (1) increased from 8.49% for wild‐type CmOMT3 to 46.70% and 30.46%, respectively. This study represents the first report of an OMT exhibiting broad substrate specificity, catalyzing the 4'‐O‐methylation of flavonoids in chrysanthemum. It sheds light on the molecular basis for the high methoxyflavonoids’ levels in northern chrysanthemums and lays the groundwork for molecular breeding aimed at enhancing methoxyflavonoid production in chrysanthemum cultivars.

From Sea to Freshwater: Shared and Unique Microbial Traits in Sponge Associated Prokaryotic Communities.

Despite their ecological significance and biotechnological potential, freshwater sponges remain relatively understudied compared to their marine counterparts. In special, the prokaryotic communities of species from isolated yet highly diverse ecosystems, such as the Amazon Rainforest, remain unknown, leaving an important part of the Porifera microbiome underexplored. Using high-throughput sequencing of the 16S rRNA gene, we unraveled the structure of the microbiota associated to the freshwater sponges Heteromeyenia cristalina and Metania reticulata for the first time. Their microbiome was compared with that of the haplosclerid marine sponges Amphimedon viridis and Haliclona melana; and the tetractinellid Cinachyrella alloclada. Our findings reveal not only a shared core microbiome between the freshwater and marine environments but also indicate functional redundancy in their communities, suggesting that certain microbial metabolic functions are conserved across diverse habitats. Comparisons between ecosystems also revealed that microbiomes of freshwater sponges can be richer and more diverse than those of marine species. Moreover, we compared the microbiome of adults and asexual reproduction structures (buds and gemmules) of sponges from both habitats, revealing a remarkable similarity between adults and their respective offsprings, indicating an important role of vertical transmission in this mode of reproduction. Our observations emphasize the dynamic interactions and the adaptability of the sponge-associated microbiota, providing insights into how these symbiotic associations were affected during the colonization of freshwater environments and shedding light into how symbiotic relationships are maintained throughout generations.

Global Archaeal Diversity Revealed Through Massive Data Integration: Uncovering Just Tip of Iceberg

The domain of Archaea has gathered significant interest for its ecological and biotechnological potential and its role in helping us to understand the evolutionary history of Eukaryotes. In comparison to the bacterial domain, the number of adequately described members in Archaea is relatively low, with less than 1000 species described. It is not clear whether this is solely due to the cultivation difficulty of its members or, indeed, the domain is characterized by evolutionary constraints that keep the number of species relatively low. Based on molecular evidence that bypasses the difficulties of formal cultivation and characterization, several novel clades have been proposed, enabling insights into their metabolism and physiology. Given the extent of global sampling and sequencing efforts, it is now possible and meaningful to question the magnitude of global archaeal diversity based on molecular evidence. To do so, we extracted all sequences classified as Archaea from 500 thousand amplicon samples available in public repositories. After processing through our highly conservative pipeline, we named this comprehensive resource the ‘Global Archaea Diversity’ (GAD), which encompassed nearly 3 million molecular species clusters at 97% similarity, and organized it into over 500 thousand genera and nearly 100 thousand families. Saline environments have contributed the most to the novel taxa of this previously unseen diversity. The majority of those 16S rRNA gene sequence fragments were verified by matches in metagenomic datasets from IMG/M. These findings reveal a vast and previously overlooked diversity within the Archaea, offering insights into their ecological roles and evolutionary importance while establishing a foundation for the future study and characterization of this intriguing domain of life.

In Vitro Multiplication, Antioxidant Activity, and Phytochemical Profiling of Wild and In Vitro-Cultured Plants of Kaempferia larsenii Sirirugsa—A Rare Plant Species in Thailand

Kaempferia larsenii Sirirugsa, a rare species in Thailand belonging to the Zingiberaceae family, is known for its effective pharmaceutical properties. However, its slow natural growth and threats from overharvesting and habitat encroachment pose significant challenges. This study investigated the effects of plant growth regulators (PGRs) on the plant regeneration, transplantation success, phytochemical profiling, and antioxidant properties of wild and in vitro-cultured plants. Plantlets (~1 cm long) were cultivated for 8 weeks in different types of MS media (solid, liquid, and liquid-over-solid) combined with various PGRs (BA, kinetin, TDZ, NAA, and IAA). Solid MS medium enriched with 2 mg/L BA, 3 mg/L TDZ, and 0.2 mg/L NAA produced the highest number of shoots (13.10 shoots/explant). By comparison, liquid MS medium containing 1 mg/L BA and 0.5 mg/L IAA also promoted high shoot production (4.70 shoots/explant). The strongest root induction (16.90 roots/explant) was achieved using a liquid MS medium supplemented with 2 mg/L BA, 2 mg/L kinetin, and 1 mg/L NAA. Sandy soil as a planting material yielded the highest survival rate (100%) during transplantation. The total phenolic content (TPC) and total flavonoid content (TFC) were higher in mother plants than in in vitro-cultured plants. The addition of PGRs significantly enhanced the production of secondary metabolites. The leaves of K. larsenii exhibited superior antioxidant properties compared to other organs under both growing conditions. Cinnamic acid was identified as abundant in in vitro-cultured plants via HPLC analysis. FTIR analysis revealed functional groups associated with phenolic acids and flavonoids, which are useful for phytochemical screening and antioxidant evaluation. This research highlighted the potential of biotechnology as a crucial strategy for conserving K. larsenii and demonstrated its sustainable application in the medical and cosmetics industries.

A Pipeline for the Isolation and Cultivation of Microalgae and Cyanobacteria from Hypersaline Environments

Microorganisms in high-salinity environments play a critical role in biogeochemical cycles, primary production, and the biotechnological exploitation of extremozymes and bioactive compounds. The main challenges in current research include isolating and cultivating these microorganisms under laboratory conditions and understanding their complex adaptive mechanisms to high salinity. Currently, universally recognized protocols for isolating microalgae and cyanobacteria from salt pans, salterns, and similar natural habitats are lacking. Establishing axenic laboratory cultures is essential for identifying new species thriving in high-salinity environments and for exploring the synthesis of high-value metabolites by these microorganisms ex situ. Our ongoing research primarily focuses on photosynthetic microorganisms with significant biotechnological potential, particularly for skincare applications. By integrating data from the existing literature with our empirical findings, we propose a standardized pipeline for the isolation and laboratory cultivation of microalgae and cyanobacteria originating from aqueous environments characterized by elevated salt concentrations, such as solar salterns. This approach will be particularly useful for researchers working with microorganisms adapted to hypersaline waters.

Evaluation of vectors for gene expression in Pseudovibrio marine bacteria.

α-Proteobacteria belonging to the Pseudovibrio genus have been isolated from different marine organisms including marine sponges, corals, and algae. This genus was first described in 2004 and has since garnered attention due to the potential ecological relevance and biotechnological application of its metabolites. For instance, we recently reported specialized metabolites that we named pseudovibriamides from Pseudovibrio brasiliensis Ab134. The pseudovibriamide encoding ppp gene cluster is found in two-thirds of Pseudovibrio genomes. Pseudovibriamides coordinate motility and biofilm formation, behaviors that are known to be important for host colonization. Although we previously established reverse genetics methods to delete genes via homologous recombination, no self-replicative vectors have been reported for Pseudovibrio. We show that plasmid vectors containing two different broad-host-range replicons, RSF1010 and pBBR1, can be used in P. brasiliensis. The efficiency of vector transfer by electroporation averaged ~3 × 103 CFU/µg plasmid DNA, whereas the conjugation frequency from Escherichia coli ranged from 10-3 to 10-6. We then tested the vectors for fluorescent protein expression and consequent labeling, which allowed us to observe their effects on swarming motility and to compare plasmid stability. This study expands the genetic toolbox available for Pseudovibrio, which is expected to enable future ecological and biotechnological studies.IMPORTANCEThe genus Pseudovibrio of α-Proteobacteria has consistently been isolated from marine sponges and other marine organisms such as corals and algae. Pseudovibrio bacteria are a source of antibiotics and other secondary metabolites with the potential to be developed into pharmaceuticals. Moreover, the secondary metabolites they produce are important for their physiology and for interactions with other organisms. Here we expand the genetic toolbox available for Pseudovibrio bacteria by establishing self-replicative vectors that can be used for the expression of, for example, fluorescent proteins. The availability of genetic tools is important to enable us to explore the emerging ecological and biotechnological potentials of Pseudovibrio bacteria.

Genetic and enzymatic profiling reveals aminopeptidase potential of Lactobacillus acidophilus ItalPN270.

Lactobacillus acidophilus strains are considered probiotics and have several industrial applications, including their use as non-starter cultures in fermented milk products. However, their biotechnological potential was partially explored. This work investigated the potential peptidase activity of Lactobacillus acidophilus ItalPN270, by mining their whole genome for genetically encoded peptidases and a comparative in vitro analysis of aminopeptidase activity and lytic behavior. The results showed that the assembled bacterial genome comprised one circular chromosome (1 964,524bp) with 34.57% GC content, and 1906 protein-coding sequences (CDS). Analysis of the genome sequence of ItalPN270 revealed the presence of 25 genes that encode peptidases with different specificities. The ItalPN270 presented higher values of aminopeptidase activity in vitro, regarding the six enzymatic substrates evaluated, showing values of total aminopeptidase activity 4-fold higher, as compared with an L. paracasei and L. helveticus strains, and notable high activity of pepA, pepL and pepX. Moreover, the strain ItalPN270 showed an autolysis profile defined by 63.4% of lysis in the first five days with low variations after 40 days at 13°C. Thus, our results indicated that strain L. acidophilus ItalPN270 is a potential source of peptidases for different applications, including as adjunct bacteria for improving cheese ripening.

Taxonomic description of Micromonospora reichwaldensis sp. nov. and its biosynthetic and plant growth-promoting potential.

In view of the significant pharmaceutical, biotechnological, and ecological potentials of micromonosporae, it is particularly interesting to enhance the genetic diversity of this genus by focusing on the isolation of novel strain from underexplored habitats, with the promise that novel bacteria will lead to new chemical entities. In this report, modern polyphasic taxonomic study confirmed the assignment of strain DSM 115977T to a novel species for which the name Micromonospora reichwaldensis sp. nov. is proposed. The strain harbors in its genomic sequence several biosynthetic gene clusters for secondary metabolites and genes associated with plant growth-promoting features. The results of this study provide a very useful basis for launching more in-depth research into agriculture and/or drug discovery.

First Record of Aplanochytrium on the Chilean Coast and its Biotechnological Potential: Expanding the Geographic Distribution of Labyrinthulomycetes.

This study reports the first record of the genus Aplanochytrium on the coast of Chile, belonging to the class Labyrinthulomycetes in the kingdom Stramenopila. These marine protists play an essential role in carbon and nitrogen cycles as decomposers in the aquatic ecosystem. Although ecologically significant, their global diversity and distribution must be better understood. Samples were collected from Corral Bay, Valdivia, Chile, and later cultivated and identified through classical taxonomy and molecular analysis. Phylogenetic analysis based on the 18S rRNA sequence showed that Chilean samples were recovered in the Aplanochytriums.s. lineage. Besides Aplanochytrium kerguelense Bahnweg & Sparrow, 1972, found in Kerguelen, an antarctic island from the Indian Ocean, this report extends the geographic distribution of the genus from Asia and the Northern Hemisphere to South America. This finding enhances our understanding of the diversity and distribution of Labyrinthulomycetes. Additionally, the fatty acid profile of Aplanochytrium revealed a high proportion of docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), accounting for 50% of the total fatty acids, along with the presence of palmitic acid. Astaxanthin, a valuable pigment for biotechnological applications, was also quantified. These results highlight the importance of Labyrinthulomycetes in marine ecosystems and their potential in biotechnology.

Polyphasic taxonomic description of Streptomyces okerensis sp. nov. and Streptomyces stoeckheimensis sp. nov. and their biotechnological potential.

Streptomyces strains DSM 116494T and DSM 116496T were isolated from sediment samples of the River Oker in Braunschweig, Germany, and subjected to a polyphasic taxonomic study and genome mining for specialized secondary metabolites. Phenotypic, genetic and genomic data confirmed the assignment of these strains to the Streptomyces genus. Pairwise 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity values between the strains and validly named Streptomyces species reached 99.5 and 99.7% for strains DSM 116494T and DSM 116496T, respectively. Genome-based phylogeny demonstrated that Streptomyces pilosus and Streptomyces griseoflavus species were the close relatives to strain DSM 116494T, while Streptomyces vinaceus species was the nearest neighbour to strain DSM 116496T. Digital DNA-DNA hybridization and average nucleotide identity comparisons of the genomic sequence of the strains and their close phylogenomic relatives revealed that values were below the determined threshold of 70 and 95-96% for prokaryotic species demarcation, respectively. The strains were distinguished from their close neighbours based on biochemical, chemotaxonomic and enzymatic data. Given these results, the strains merit being affiliated to novel species within the genus Streptomyces, for which the names Streptomyces okerensis sp. nov. (=OG2.3T=DSM 116494T=KCTC 59408T) and Streptomyces stoeckheimensis sp. nov. (=OG3.14T=DSM 116496T=KCTC 59410T) are proposed. Strains DSM 116494T and DSM 116496T harboured several biosynthetic gene clusters encoding potentially novel antimicrobial and anticancer compounds. Crude extracts of strains DSM 116494T and DSM 116496T inhibited the growth of Gram-negative bacteria (Escherichia coli ΔtolC, Proteus vulgaris) and a multi-drug-resistant Gram-positive, Staphylococcus aureus.

Recent Advances and Prospects of Microbial Biosurfactant-Mediated Remediation of Engine Oil Pollution: A Comprehensive Review

A major global concern is the widespread environmental destruction caused by hydrocarbons, especially from the dumping of spent engine oil. Hydrocarbons are a major source of pollution in the environment and have an impact on agriculture, aquatic life, and soil fertility. The necessity of resolving this issue is highlighted by the detrimental impact on soil biocenosis and the potential conversion of soils into technogenic deserts. Due to high costs and polluting byproducts, the conventional approach of treating contaminated soil, sediment, and water is unsustainable. However, bioremediation, which makes use of biological agents like fungi and bacteria, appears to be a more practical and affordable solution. Microbial biosurfactants present a possible solution for environmental restoration due to their less harmful nature compared to chemical surfactants. This review highlights the green and sustainable nature of microbial biosurfactants while examining their advancements, biotechnological potentials, and future possibilities for bioremediation. The review also looks at the genetic basis and economic viability of biosurfactants for bioremediation applications. Furthermore, the review emphasizes the need for more studies in overcoming the challenges of large-scale application of biological surfactants for bioremediation of pollution and environmental restoration. As partners in nature, these bacteria aid in the breakdown of hydrocarbons, highlighting the need for industry and the environment to coexist sustainably. As biosurfactants are less harmful to the environment than chemical surfactants, they are more in line with the global trend toward sustainable methods and the use of natural processes for ecological restoration.

Inducible expression of DEFECTIVE IN ANTHER DEHISCENCE 1 enhances triacylglycerol accumulation and lipid droplet formation in vegetative tissues.

Bioengineering efforts to increase oil in non-storage vegetative tissues, which constitute the majority of plant biomass, are promising sustainable sources of renewable fuels and feedstocks. While plants typically do not accumulate significant amounts of triacylglycerol (TAG) in vegetative tissues, we report here that the expression of a plastid-localized phospholipase A1 protein, DEFECTIVE IN ANTHER DEHISCENCE1 (DAD1), led to a substantial increase in leaf TAG in Arabidopsis. Using an inducible system to control DAD1 expression circumvented growth penalties associated with overexpressing DAD1 and resulted in a rapid burst of TAG within several hours. The increase of TAG was accompanied by the formation of oil bodies in the leaves, petioles, and stems, but not in the roots. Lipid analysis indicated that the increase in TAG was negatively correlated with plastidial galactolipid concentration. The fatty acid (FA) composition of TAG predominantly consisted of 18:3. Expression of DAD1 in the fad3fad7fad8 mutant, devoid of 18:3, resulted in comparable TAG accumulation with 18:2 as the major FA constituent, reflecting the flexible in vivo substrate use of DAD1. The transient expression of either Arabidopsis DAD1 or Nicotiana benthamiana DAD1 (NbDAD1) in N. benthamiana leaves stimulated the accumulation of TAG. Similarly, transgenic soybeans expressing Arabidopsis DAD1 exhibited an accumulation of TAG in the leaves, showcasing the biotechnological potential of this technology. In summary, inducible expression of a plastidial lipase resulted in enhanced oil production in vegetative tissues, extending our understanding of lipid remodeling mediated by DAD1 and offering a valuable tool for metabolic engineering.

Biochemical study and digestion profile of olive oil by LipBK: Revealing the potential applications of a new acid/broad thermal range true lipase.

Biochemical study and digestion profile of olive oil by LipBK: Revealing the potential applications of a new acid/broad thermal range true lipase.

Ultrastructural changes in epithelial cells on different stages of sinantropic muscoid dipterans fed with spores of Brevibacillus laterosporus

Ultrastructural changes in epithelial cells on different stages of sinantropic muscoid dipterans fed with spores of Brevibacillus laterosporus

Biotechnological Potential of Rheinheimera sp. L-asparaginase: Heterologous Production and Its Role in Acrylamide Mitigation

Acrylamide, a chemical contaminant found in foods, poses a significant health threat because of its toxic and carcinogenic properties. One of the most effective methods for reducing acrylamide is the application of L-asparaginase (L-ASNase) to decrease the asparagine content in foods before cooking or processing. In this study, L-ASNase (RsASNase) from Rheinheimera sp. was expressed heterologously in Escherichia coli Rosetta™2 (DE3) host cells. The enzyme was purified using Ni2+-NTA affinity chromatography, yielding a specific activity of 392.2 U/mg and a purification fold of 4.0. Acrylamide reduction was assessed using a starch-L-asparagine model analyzed by high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). The highest acrylamide mitigation (52.3%) was achieved using 100 U of the enzyme after 120 min of incubation. Additionally, the three-dimensional structure of RsASNase was modeled using the ProMod3. Bioinformatics analyses, including docking studies, revealed interactions between the RsASNase enzyme's active site and the L-asparagine substrate, involving the amino acids THR162A, LYS242A, THR273A, LEU304A, and GLU305A. These findings showed that RsASNase has the potential for further development and application in biotechnological processes aimed at acrylamide mitigation.

Structural investigation of an RNA device that regulates PD-1 expression in mammalian cells.

Synthetic RNA devices are engineered to control gene expression and offer great potential in both biotechnology and clinical applications. Here, we present multidisciplinary structural and biochemical data for a tetracycline (Tc)-responsive RNA device (D43) in both ligand-free and bound states, providing a structure-dynamical basis for signal transmission. Activation of self-cleavage is achieved via ligand-induced conformational and dynamical changes that stabilize the elongated bridging helix harboring the communication module, which drives proper coordination of the catalytic residues. We then show the utility of CRISPR-integrated D43 in EL4 lymphocytes to regulate programmed cell death protein 1 (PD-1), a key receptor of immune checkpoints. Treatment of these cells with Tc showed a dose-dependent reduction in PD-1 by immunostaining and a decrease in messenger RNA levels by quantitativePCR as compared with wild type. PD-1 expression was recoverable upon removal of Tc. These results provide mechanistic insight into RNA devices with potential for cancer immunotherapy or other applications.

An argument for using anaerobes as microbial cell factories to advance synthetic biology and biomanufacturing

AbstractAnaerobes thrive in the absence of oxygen and are an untapped reservoir of biotechnological potential. Therefore, bioprospecting efforts focused on anaerobic microbial diversity could rapidly uncover new enzymes, pathways, and chassis organisms to drive biotechnology innovation. Despite their potential utility, anaerobic fermenters are viewed as inefficient from a biochemical perspective because their metabolisms produce fewer ATP (~2) per molecule of glucose processed than heterotrophic respirers (~32–38 ATP). While aerobes excel at ATP generation, they are often less efficient than anaerobes at processes that compete with ATP generation for cellular resources. This perspective highlights how anaerobic adaptations are advantageous for synthetic biology and biomanufacturing applications through the engineering of microbial cell factories. We further highlight emerging applications of anaerobic bioprocessing, including the use of anaerobic metabolisms for lignocellulosic bioprocessing, human and environmental health, and value‐added bioproduction.