Engineering Microbes and Metabolic Pathways for the Production of Ethylene Glycol from Xylose, Glucose, Carbohydrates and Renewable Resources

Technology

Methods to break down hemicellulose contained in biomass into simple 5-carbon sugars are well documented. This invention comprises an enzymatic reaction scheme to convert the simple sugars (e.g., xylose, arabinose, etc.) to ethylene glycol in three stages. First, the sugar is cleaved enzymatically into glycolaldehyde and dihydroxyacetone phosphate. Second, dihydroxyacetone—a byproduct from the cleavage in the first step—is converted into glycolaldehyde. Finally, the glycolaldehyde generated in the previous two stages is enzymatically reduced to ethylene glycol.The enzymes necessary to catalyze each step in the process are expressed in genetically engineered bacteria. In proof-of-concept trials, the Inventors have demonstrated the conversion of D-arabinose and D-xylose to ethylene glycol with up to 35% yield (by mass).  

Problem Addressed

Currently, ethylene glycol is produced from ethylene oxide, which is in turn derived from fossil fuels. Mounting issues such as price fluctuations, supply instability, and environmental concerns are driving the search for alternative methods to generate ethylene glycol. This invention provides an engineering scheme for the bio mediated production of ethylene glycol from lignocellulosic biomass.

Advantages      

• Produces ethylene glycol from renewable feedstock
• Able to utilize a number of different pentose sugars  

Publications

Yim, Hyungmin, Eun Ji Woo, Simeng Ni, et al. "Efficient Utilization of Pentoses for Bioproduction of the Renewable Two-Carbon Compounds Ethylene Glycol and Glycolate." Metabolic Engineering 34 (March 2016): 80-87.

Burg, Jason M., Brent D. Cooper, Fang Ye, et al. "Engineering a Novel Biosynthetic Pathway in Escherichia Coli for Production of Renewable Ethylene." Biotechnology and Bioengineering 113, no. 2 (February 2016): 376-83.