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Optimization of Fermentation Conditions for the Biosynthesis of l-Threonine by Escherichia coli

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Abstract

In this study, the fed-batch fermentation technique was applied to improve the yield of l-threonine produced by Escherichia coli TRFC. Various fermentation substrates and conditions were investigated to identify the optimal carbon source, its concentration and C/N ratio in the production of l-threonine. Sucrose was found to be the optimal initial carbon source and its optimal concentration was determined to be 70 g/L based on the results of fermentations conducted in a 5-L jar fermentor using a series of fed-batch cultures of E. coli TRFC. The effects of glucose concentration and three different feeding methods on the production of l-threonine were also investigated in this work. Our results showed that the production of l-threonine by E. coli was enhanced when glucose concentration varied between 5 and 20 g/L with DO-control pulse fed-batch method. Furthermore, the C/N ratio was a more predominant factor than nitrogen concentration for l-threonine overproduction and the optimal ratio of ammonium sulfate to sucrose (g/g) was 30. Under the optimal conditions, a final l-threonine concentration of 118 g/L was achieved after 38 h with the productivity of 3.1 g/L/h (46% conversion ratio from glucose to threonine).

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Acknowledgments

We thank Hui Liu and Guo-qiang Zhang for critical reading of this manuscript and providing valuable suggestions. This work was supported by the National High Technology Research and Development Program of China (Grant No.2006AA02Z216).

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. College of Biotechnology, Tianjin University of Science & Technology, Tianjin, 300457, China

    Ning Chen, Jin Huang, Zhi-bin Feng & Qing-yang Xu

  2. Institute of Microbiology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100101, China

    Lei Yu & Ting-yi Wen

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  1. Ning Chen
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  2. Jin Huang
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  3. Zhi-bin Feng
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  4. Lei Yu
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  5. Qing-yang Xu
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Correspondence to Ting-yi Wen.

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Chen, N., Huang, J., Feng, Zb. et al. Optimization of Fermentation Conditions for the Biosynthesis of l-Threonine by Escherichia coli . Appl Biochem Biotechnol 158, 595–604 (2009). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12010-008-8385-y

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