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Biosynthesis of d-lactic acid from lignocellulosic biomass

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Abstract

d-lactic acid is a versatile and important industrial chemical that can be applied in the synthesis of thermal-resistant poly-lactic acid. Biosynthesis of d-lactic acid can be achieved by a variety of microorganisms, including lactic acid bacteria, yeast, and fungi; however, the final product yield, optical purity, and the utilization of both glucose and xylose are restricted. Consequently, engineered microbial systems are essential to attain high titer, productivity, and complete utilization of sugars. Herein, we critically evaluate the promising wild-type microorganisms, as well as genetically modified microorganisms to produce enantiomerically pure d-lactic acid, particularly from renewable lignocellulosic biomass. In addition, innovative bioreactor operation, metabolic flux analysis, and recent genetic engineering methods for targeted microbial d-lactic acid synthesis will be discussed.

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Acknowledgements

This project was supported by the Consortium for Plant Biotechnology Research (CPBR), the Gary and Betty Lortscher Endowment, Department of Grain Science and Industry at Kansas State University, and Japan Society of Promotion of Science (17F17404).

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  1. Praveen V. Vadlani

    Present address: Saivera Bio, Ananthpur District, Puttaparthi, Andhra Pradesh, 515134, India

  2. Yixing Zhang

    Present address: Department of Environmental and Natural Resource Science, Tokyo University of Agriculture and Technology, Saiwai-cho, 3-5-8, Tokyo, 183-8509, Japan

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Bioprocessing and Renewable Energy Laboratory, Department of Grain Science & Industry, Kansas State University, Manhattan, KS, 66506, USA

    Yixing Zhang & Praveen V. Vadlani

  2. Department of Environmental and Natural Resource Science, Tokyo University of Agriculture and Technology, Saiwai-cho, 3-5-8, Tokyo, 183-8509, Japan

    Makoto Yoshida

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  1. Yixing Zhang
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Correspondence to Yixing Zhang.

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Zhang, Y., Yoshida, M. & Vadlani, P.V. Biosynthesis of d-lactic acid from lignocellulosic biomass. Biotechnol Lett 40, 1167–1179 (2018). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10529-018-2588-2

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