Adaptively evolved for improved ability of formate utilization as a carbon source in sugar-free conditions.

BACKGROUND

Formate converted from CO reduction has great potential as a sustainable feedstock for biological production of biofuels and biochemicals. Nevertheless, utilization of formate for growth and chemical production by microbial species is limited due to its toxicity or the lack of a metabolic pathway. Here, we constructed a formate assimilation pathway in and applied adaptive laboratory evolution to improve formate utilization as a carbon source in sugar-free conditions.

RESULTS

The genes related to the tetrahydrofolate and serine cycles from AM1 were overexpressed for formate assimilation, which was proved by the C-labeling experiments. The amino acids detected by GC/MS showed significant carbon labeling due to biomass production from formate. Then, 150 serial subcultures were performed to screen for evolved strains with improved ability to utilize formate. The genomes of evolved mutants were sequenced and the mutations were associated with formate dehydrogenation, folate metabolism, and biofilm formation. Last, 90 mg/L of ethanol production from formate was achieved using fed-batch cultivation without addition of sugars.

CONCLUSION

This work demonstrates the effectiveness of the introduction of a formate assimilation pathway, combined with adaptive laboratory evolution, to achieve the utilization of formate as a carbon source. This study suggests that the constructed could serve as a strain to exploit formate and captured CO.