Genetically engineered microorganisms that metabolize xylose

• US 9,499,845 B2
• Filed: 09/01/2014
• Issued: 11/22/2016
• Est. Priority Date: 05/06/2011
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Corbion Biotech, Inc. (Corbion NV)
• Original Assignee: Terravia Holdings, Inc. (Corbion NV)
• Inventors: Chua, Penelope, Somanchi, Aravind
• Primary Examiner(s): RAGHU, GANAPATHIRAM
• Application Number:
  US14/474,238
• Publication Number:
  US 20150073163A1
• Time in Patent Office: 813 Days
• Field of Search: 554/227, 435/134, 435/257.2, 435/69.1, 536/23.1, 536/23.2, 530/350
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: C12N 1/12 Unicellular algae; Culture media therefor as new plants A01H13/00
• CPC Class Codes: C12N 1/22 Processes using, or culture media containing, cellulose or hydrolysates thereof
• CPC Class Codes: C12N 15/52 Genes encoding for enzymes or proenzymes
• CPC Class Codes: C12N 15/8246 Non-starch polysaccharides, e.g. cellulose, fructans, levans
• CPC Class Codes: C12N 15/8247 involving modified lipid metabolism, e.g. seed oil composition
• CPC Class Codes: C12P 2203/00 Fermentation products obtained from optionally pretreated or hydrolyzed cellulosic or lignocellulosic material as the carbon source ethanol C12P7/10
• CPC Class Codes: C12P 7/64 Fats; Fatty oils; Ester-type waxes; Higher fatty acids, i.e. having at least seven carbon atoms in an unbroken chain bound to a carboxyl group; Oxidised oils or fats
• CPC Class Codes: C12P 7/6463 obtained from glyceride producing microorganisms, e.g. single cell oil
• CPC Class Codes: C12P 7/649 Biodiesel, i.e. fatty acid alkyl esters
• CPC Class Codes: Y02E 50/10 Biofuels, e.g. bio-diesel
• CPC Class Codes: Y02T 50/678 Aviation using fuels of non-fossil origin

Abstract

The invention provides methods of cultivating oil-bearing microbes using xylose as a fixed carbon source. Also provided are microorganisms that have been genetically engineered to metabolize xylose as a fixed carbon source allowing them to convert xylose into oils. Particular advantages of the processes provided herein include production of oils rather than alcohols through the microbial fermentation processes utilizing xylose.

Claims

1. A method for producing microalgal biomass or a product produced from the biomass, the method comprising cultivating an oleaginous microalga in a culture medium comprising xylose, the oleaginous microalga comprising a recombinant nucleic acid operable to produce an active-xylulose-5-phosphate translocator, the xylulose-5-phosphate translocator having the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:

45, SEQ ID NO;

47, or SEQ ID NO;

49.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the microbial biomass comprises microbial lipid.

3. The method of claim 2, wherein the lipid is used to make a product that is a chemical, a lubricant, a detergent, a fuel, a food, a food oil, or a cosmetic ingredient.

4. The method of claim 3, wherein the product is a fuel selected from biodiesel or renewable diesel.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein the xylose is obtained from depolymerized cellulosic material.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein the genus of oleaginous microalga is Prototheca or Chlorella.

7. The method of claim 6, wherein the genus of the oleaginous microalga is Prototheca.

8. The method of claim 7, wherein the oleaginous microalga is Prototheca moriformis.

9. The method of claim 1, wherein the oleaginous microalga further comprises one or more recombinant nucleic acids operable to produce an active xylose transporter, a symporter protein, an oxidoreductase pathway protein, or a xylose isomerase pathway protein.

10. The method of claim 9, wherein, the xylose isomerase pathway protein or the oxidoreductase pathway protein is selected from the group consisting of XylA, Xyl1, Xyl2 and Xyl3.

11. The method of claim 9, wherein the oleaginous microalga is of the genus Prototheca or Chlorella.

12. The method of claim 11, wherein the genus of the oleaginous microalga is Prototheca.

13. The method of claim 12, wherein the oleaginous microalga is Prototheca moriformis.