Maximizing Ethanol Production by Engineered Pentose-Fermenting Zymomonas mobilis

Maximizing Ethanol Production by Engineered Pentose-Fermenting Zymomonas mobilis Dhinakar S. Kompala Department of Chemical Engineering University of Colorado, Boulder James D. McMillan and Min Zhang Biotechnology Center for Fuels and Chemicals National Renewable Energy Laboratory Objective Develop robust microbial biocatalysts capable of effectively conversion of a variety of sugar feedstreams to fuels (and chemicals) Strategic Targets • Increase Ethanol Yield • Increase Ethanol Concentration • Reduce Fermentation Time Biomass Composition 10% Other 25% Lignin 14% Other 46% Cellulose 36% Cellulose/ 10% Lignin starch ARABINOSE XYLOSE XYLOSE 40% Hemicellulose 19% Hemicellulose l Hardwood Species l Agricultural Residues (i.e., Corn Fiber, Corn Stover) Fermentation Performance Criteria Fermentation Performance Criteria Essential Microbial Traits l l l High Conversion Yield High Ethanol Tolerance Resistance...