The evaluation of genes for the xylose catabolism and their potential for bioproducts

• Grant number: 12/11529-0
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Master
• Start date: January 01, 2013
• End date: November 30, 2014
• Field of knowledge: Biological Sciences - Microbiology - Applied Microbiology
• Principal Investigator: Luiziana Ferreira da Silva
• Grantee: Juliano Cherix
• Host Institution: Instituto de Ciências Biomédicas (ICB). Universidade de São Paulo (USP). São Paulo , SP, Brazil

Abstract

The lignocellulosic materials are the most abundant renewable organic resource on the planet. Among theses materials, there are agro-industrial byproducts such as the sugar cane bagasse. This type of residue may be used as raw material for low cost production of various compounds, such as second generation ethanol and polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHA), a type of biodegradable plastic. In order to be used to produce ethanol, PHA or other materials, the lignocellulosic wastes need to be submitted to hydrolysis. As a result of hydrolysis, cellulose and hemicellulose are released from the complex formed with the lignin, which, after a subsequent breakage of the sugar polymer, will release a mixture of pentoses and hexoses, mainly glucose and xylose. Although xylose is a major component of lignocellulose and the second most abundant sugar in nature, its use in an efficient way still puts forth a technical barrier. It is possible, in literature, to find different studies that show ways in which to circumvent this obstacle. However, even though many solutions have been proposed, it has not been possible to find a way to build a microorganism which is capable of using xylose in order to promote the production of PHA and ethanol at industrial levels. It can be observed that the need for a better understanding of the xylose metabolism is important as to allow its use for industrial processes. Thus, this paper will focus on further understanding what is already known about the xylose metabolism. It will explore a greater diversity in the search for new organizations of genes and potential new ones related to the metabolism of this sugar. This will then favor an environment that is more conducive to obtain strains and organizations of genes in order to provide the construction of recombinants which will be better adapted for using lignocellulosic wastes. (AU)

Academic Publications

(References retrieved automatically from State of São Paulo Research Institutions)

CHERIX, Juliano. Evaluation of xylose catabolism genes and their potential for the generation of bioproducts.. 2015. Master's Dissertation - Universidade de São Paulo (USP). Instituto de Ciências Biomédicas (ICB/SDI) São Paulo.