Líffræðifélag Íslands
Líffræðiráðstefnan 2015
Erindi/veggspjald / Talk/poster E48
Bryndís Björnsdóttir (1), Ólafur H. Friðjónsson (1), Sidsel Markussen (2), Nils Dyrset (2), Jóhann Örlygsson (3), Sean Scully (3) and Guðmundur Ó. Hreggvidsson (1,4)
1. Matís, 2. SINTEF Materials and Chemistry, 3. Faculty of Natural Resource Sciences, University of Akureyri, 4. Faculty of Life and Environmental Sciences, University of Iceland
Kynnir / Presenter: Bryndís Björnsdóttir
Tengiliður / Corresponding author: Bryndís Björnsdóttir (bryndis@matis.is)
Macroalgae have high potential as feedstocks for biorefinery applications. Their chemical structure, high carbohydrate content, and fast growth rate gives them great biotechnological value although heterogeneous sugar compositions make them a challenging feedstock. Macroalgal-based biorefining is expected to develop greatly but is dependent upon advances in utilization and engineering of conversion organisms . Several organisms utilize macroalgal carbohydrates but lack the required effectiveness and robustness. Therefore, novel and engineered organisms are needed. Thermophiles are robust and have properties valuable for biorefining. Many fermentative thermophiles utilize complex carbohydrates, are capable of simultaneous saccharification and bioconversion, and their thermostable enzymes are of great interest for biorefining applications. The aim is to engineer a thermoanaerobe, Thermoanaerobacterium sp. strain AK17, for utilization of macroalgal sugars for production of biofuels and bioproducts. This robust strain is an efficient ethanol producer which simultaneously utilizes a variety of hexoses and pentoses, including mannitol, but not laminarin or alginic acid. Lactate and acetate formation has been knocked out in a single strain, channelling carbon to forming ethanol and CO2. This strain is being used as a chassis organism for further engineering towards bioconversion of macroalgal sugars. The progress of this work and future plans will be presented.