Construction and optimization of a novel Gas-to-Lipids bioprocess

2022 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 20K05232
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research (C)
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Section: 一般
• Review Section: Basic Section 27040:Biofunction and bioprocess engineering-related
• Research Institution: Hiroshima University
• Principal Investigator: Aki Tsunehiro 広島大学, 統合生命科学研究科(先), 教授 (80284165)
• Project Period (FY): 2020-04-01 – 2023-03-31
• Keywords: カーボンリサイクル / 油脂発酵 / オーランチオキトリウム

Outline of Final Research Achievements

The objective of this study was to improve the efficiency of the Gas-to-Lipids bioprocess, which combines the Acetobacterium, which produces acetic acid from CO2, and Aurantiochytrium, which produces useful lipids from acetic acid. To this end, we analyzed the basic characteristics of Aurantiochytrium regarding acetate metabolism and lipid production using omics methods to select breeding targets, and clarified the factors that contribute to the high efficiency of lipid fermentation using acetate as a substrate. In addition, we analyzed the chemotaxis of zoospores to clarified the role of this microorganism in the marine ecosystem and discussed material transformation in a complex culture system.

Free Research Field

生物工学

Academic Significance and Societal Importance of the Research Achievements

「Gas-to-Lipidsバイオプロセス」は次世代火力発電施設や鉄鋼業などにおいて分離・回収される多量のCO2をむしろ資源として、多様な産業分野において有用となる油脂に高効率で変換してカーボンリサイクルを実現する有望なプロセスである。しかし、物質変換効率やかかるコストには依然として改善の余地があるため、更なる効率化に資する本研究の成果は持続的物質循環社会の実現をめざした実装開発に向けて非常に意義深いと言える。