Metabolic engineering

Succinic Acid Production by Engineered Mannheimia succiniciproducens and Its Use in Chemoenzymatic Poly(Butylene Succinate) Synthesis

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Scientists engineered a bacterium (Mannheimia succiniciproducens) to produce succinic acid more efficiently, a key ingredient in biodegradable plastics. The purified acid was then converted into poly(butylene succinate) using mild chemical and enzymatic processes, avoiding toxic catalysts and high temperatures. The resulting plastic completely biodegrades in the environment within weeks using naturally occurring bacteria, making it a promising eco-friendly alternative to conventional plastics.

The forced activation of asexual conidiation in Aspergillus niger simplifies bioproduction

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Researchers developed a new method to simplify the production of L-malic acid using genetically modified Aspergillus niger fungi. Instead of growing spores on solid plates—a time-consuming and labor-intensive process—they engineered the fungi to produce spores directly in liquid medium controlled by adding xylose. This simplified approach maintains the fungi’s ability to produce high levels of L-malic acid while significantly reducing costs and labor requirements for industrial production.

A Biorefinery Approach Integrating Lipid and EPS Augmentation Along with Cr (III) Mitigation by Chlorella minutissima

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This research demonstrates that a common freshwater microalga called Chlorella minutissima can effectively remove toxic chromium from contaminated water while simultaneously producing high-quality biodiesel fuel and useful plant compounds. The microalga survives chromium exposure by activating powerful internal defense systems that protect it from oxidative stress. This integrated approach offers a sustainable solution to environmental contamination while generating renewable energy, supporting the transition to a circular economy.

A Review of Novel Antioxidant Ergothioneine: Biosynthesis Pathways, Production, Function and Food Applications

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Ergothioneine is a powerful natural antioxidant found mainly in mushrooms that protects cells from damage and may help prevent diseases like Alzheimer’s and heart disease. Currently, producing ergothioneine from mushrooms is expensive and slow, but scientists have developed faster fermentation methods using engineered microbes that could make it cheaper and more available. This compound can be added to foods and supplements to boost health benefits, and researchers are exploring its use beyond seafood to other food products like meat and baked goods.

Advances in Bioprocess Engineering for Optimising Chlorella vulgaris Fermentation: Biotechnological Innovations and Applications

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Chlorella vulgaris is a nutrient-rich microalga gaining popularity in health supplements, functional foods, and sustainable energy production. Scientists are using advanced genetic engineering techniques, special fermentation methods, and innovative bioreactor designs to increase the production of beneficial compounds like proteins and antioxidants. These improvements make Chlorella more valuable for creating health-promoting foods, medicines, and biofuels while keeping production costs low and environmentally sustainable.

A Comprehensive Review of the Diversity of Fungal Secondary Metabolites and Their Emerging Applications in Healthcare and Environment

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Fungi naturally produce complex chemical compounds called secondary metabolites that have powerful effects against diseases and pests. These include well-known medicines like penicillin and compounds that can fight cancer, reduce inflammation, and lower cholesterol. Scientists are now using advanced genetic and biotechnology techniques to increase production of these fungal compounds, making them more available and affordable for medical, agricultural, and environmental applications. This research shows how fungi could be important sources of new medicines and sustainable alternatives to synthetic chemicals.

Engineering bacterial biocatalysts for the degradation of phthalic acid esters

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Phthalic acid esters (PAEs) are chemicals used to make plastics flexible that can leak into the environment and harm human health. Scientists are engineering bacteria with improved enzymes to break down PAEs more efficiently through a process called bioremediation. The review discusses how bacteria naturally degrade these pollutants and outlines strategies to make this process faster and more practical for cleaning contaminated environments.

Advanced Fungal Biotechnologies in Accomplishing Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs): What Do We Know and What Comes Next?

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Fungi are remarkable organisms with tremendous untapped potential for solving global challenges. They can be engineered to produce life-saving medicines like antibiotics and cholesterol-lowering drugs, create nutritious food alternatives, clean up polluted environments, and help fight climate change. As we transition to more sustainable living practices, fungi represent a natural solution that has been used for centuries but is only now being fully appreciated through modern biotechnology.

Harnessing the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae for the production of fungal secondary metabolites

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Scientists have learned to use common baker’s yeast (S. cerevisiae) as a biological factory to produce valuable medicines and compounds that naturally come from fungi and mushrooms. By transferring the genetic instructions for making these compounds into yeast cells and improving them with genetic engineering, researchers can now produce therapeutically important substances like cancer-fighting drugs and antibiotics in large quantities. This approach is more practical and cost-effective than trying to extract these rare compounds directly from their native fungal sources or using other production methods.

Unlocking the magic in mycelium: Using synthetic biology to optimize filamentous fungi for biomanufacturing and sustainability

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This comprehensive review explores how scientists can use modern genetic engineering tools to improve filamentous fungi (molds and mushrooms) for producing valuable products like antibiotics, enzymes, and sustainable food and materials. The authors explain that while these fungi naturally excel at breaking down plant material and producing useful compounds, they haven’t received as much attention from genetic engineers as other microorganisms. By applying techniques like CRISPR gene editing, computational modeling, and directed evolution, researchers can make fungal strains grow faster, produce higher yields, and use cheaper feedstocks, making industrial production more efficient and environmentally friendly.

Research Keyword: Metabolic engineering