title: The influence of metabolic network structures and energy requirements on xanthan gum yields.
abstract: The metabolic network of Xanthomonas campestris is complex since a number of cyclic pathways are present making simple stoichiometric yield predictions difficult. The influence of certain pathway configurations and the resulting variations in flux have been examined as regards the maximum yield potential of this bacteria for xanthan gum production. These predictions have been compared with experimental results showing that the strain employed is functioning close to its theoretical maximum as regards yield criteria. The major constraint imposed on the network concerns energy availability which has a more pronounced effect on yield than carbon precursor supply. This can be attributed to the relatively high maintenance requirements determined experimentally and incorporated into the model. While some of this overall energy burden will undoubtedly be associated with incompressible metabolic requirements such as sugar uptake and xanthan efflux mechanisms, future strain improvement strategies will need to attack other non-essential energy-consuming reactions, if yields are to be further increased.
authors.affiliation: Laboratoire de Biotechnologie-Bioprocédés, UMR INSA/CNRS, Centre de Bioingenierie Gilbert Durand, INSA, 135 Avenue de Rangeuil, 31077 Toulouse cedex 4, France.
authors.forename: Fabien
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Letisse
authors.forename: Paule
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Chevallereau
authors.forename: Jean-Luc
authors.initials: JL
authors.lastname: Simon
authors.forename: Nic
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Lindley
mesh_terms: D019149:Bioreactors; D002244:Carbon / Q000378:metabolism; D019069:Cell Respiration / Q000502:physiology; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D003198:Computer Simulation; D004734:Energy Metabolism / Q000502:physiology; D007218:Industrial Microbiology / Q000379:methods*; D008954:Models, Biological; D009097:Multienzyme Complexes / Q000378:metabolism*; D011135:Polysaccharides, Bacterial / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D011786:Quality Control; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D013045:Species Specificity; D016959:Xanthomonas campestris / Q000145:classification / Q000254:growth & development / Q000378:metabolism*
chemical_list: D009097:Multienzyme Complexes; D011135:Polysaccharides, Bacterial; D002244:Carbon; C002563:xanthan gum