title: Progress and challenges in the engineering of non-cellulolytic microorganisms for consolidated bioprocessing.
abstract: Lignocellulosic biomass is an abundant, renewable feedstock for the production of fuels and chemicals, if an efficient and affordable conversion technology can be established to overcome its recalcitrance. Consolidated bioprocessing (CBP) featuring enzyme production, substrate hydrolysis and fermentation in a single step is a biologically mediated conversion approach with outstanding potential if a fit-for-purpose microorganism(s) can be developed. Progress in developing CBP-enabling microorganisms is ongoing by engineering (i) naturally cellulolytic microorganisms for improved product-related properties or (ii) non-cellulolytic organisms exhibiting high product yields to heterologously produce different combinations of cellulase enzymes. We discuss progress on developing yeast and bacteria for the latter strategy and consider further challenges that require attention to bring this technology to market.
authors.affiliation: Department of Biotechnology, University of the Western Cape, Private Bag X17, Bellville 7530, South Africa.
authors.forename: Riaan
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: den Haan
authors.affiliation: Department of Process Engineering, Stellenbosch University, Private Bag XI, Matieland 7602, South Africa.
authors.forename: Eugéne
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: van Rensburg
authors.affiliation: Department of Microbiology, Stellenbosch University, Private Bag XI, Matieland 7602, South Africa.
authors.forename: Shaunita H
authors.initials: SH
authors.lastname: Rose
authors.affiliation: Department of Process Engineering, Stellenbosch University, Private Bag XI, Matieland 7602, South Africa.
authors.forename: Johann F
authors.initials: JF
authors.lastname: Görgens
authors.affiliation: Department of Microbiology, Stellenbosch University, Private Bag XI, Matieland 7602, South Africa. Electronic address: whvz@sun.ac.za.
authors.forename: Willem H
authors.initials: WH
authors.lastname: van Zyl
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001419:Bacteria / Q000378:metabolism; D018533:Biomass; D002480:Cellulase / Q000378:metabolism*; D005285:Fermentation; D006868:Hydrolysis; D012441:Saccharomyces cerevisiae / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D002480:Cellulase