A promising microbial cell-factory platform for bioconversion of methane to chemicals

Diep Thi Ngoc Nguyen, Ok Kyung Lee, Thu Thi Nguyen, Eun Yeol Lee

Department of Chemical Engineering (Integrated Engineering), Kyung Hee University, Gyeonggi-do 17104, Republic of Korea.

Abstract

Methane, the predominant element in natural gas and biogas, represents a promising alternative to carbon feedstocks in the biotechnological industry due to its low cost and high abundance. The bioconversion of methane to value-added products can enhance the value of gas and mitigate greenhouse gas emissions. Methanotrophs, methane-utilizing bacteria, can make a significant contribution to the production of various valuable biofuels and chemicals from methane. Type II methanotrophs in comparison with Type I methanotrophs have distinct advantages, including high acetyl-CoA flux and the co-incorporation of two important greenhouse gases (methane and CO₂), making it a potential microbial cell-factory platform for methane-derived biomanufacturing. Herein, we review the most recent advances in Type II methanotrophs related to multi-omics studies and metabolic engineering. Representative examples and prospects of metabolic engineering strategies for the production of suitable products are also discussed.

Keyword: Methane, Methanotrophs, Type II methanotrophs, Bioconversion, Biofuels and chemicals, Metabolic engineering.