Electro-biocatalytic production of formate from carbon dioxide using an oxygen-stable whole cell biocatalyst.
The use of biocatalysts to convert CO2 into useful chemicals is a promising alternative to chemical conversion. In this study, the electro-biocatalytic conversion of CO2 to formate was attempted with a whole cell biocatalyst. Eight species of Methylobacteria were tested for CO2 reduction, and one of them, Methylobacterium extorquens AM1, exhibited an exceptionally higher capability to synthesize formate from CO2 by supplying electrons with electrodes, which produced formate concentrations of up to 60mM. The oxygen stability of the biocatalyst was investigated, and the results indicated that the whole cell catalyst still exhibited CO2 reduction activity even after being exposed to oxygen gas. From the results, we could demonstrate the electro-biocatalytic conversion of CO2 to formate using an obligate aerobe, M. extorquens AM1, as a whole cell biocatalyst without providing extra cofactors or hydrogen gas. This electro-biocatalytic process suggests a promising approach toward feasible way of CO2 conversion to formate.
Department of Chemical Engineering, Kwangwoon University, 139-701 Seoul, Republic of Korea.
Hyojin
H
Hwang
The Institute of Molecular Biology and Genetics, Seoul National University, 151-742 Seoul, Republic of Korea.
Young Joo
YJ
Yeon
Department of Chemical Engineering, Kwangwoon University, 139-701 Seoul, Republic of Korea.
Sumi
S
Lee
Department of Chemical Engineering, Kwangwoon University, 139-701 Seoul, Republic of Korea.
Hyunjun
H
Choe
Department of Chemical Engineering, Kwangwoon University, 139-701 Seoul, Republic of Korea.
Min Gee
MG
Jang
Department of Chemical Engineering, Kwangwoon University, 139-701 Seoul, Republic of Korea.
Dae Haeng
DH
Cho
Department of Chemical Engineering, Kwangwoon University, 139-701 Seoul, Republic of Korea.
Sehkyu
S
Park
Department of Chemical Engineering, Kwangwoon University, 139-701 Seoul, Republic of Korea. Electronic address: metalkim@kw.ac.kr.
Yong Hwan
YH
Kim
D002245:Carbon Dioxide / Q000378:metabolism*; D002384:Catalysis; D004563:Electrochemistry / Q000379:methods*; D004574:Electromagnetic Fields; D005561:Formates / Q000302:isolation & purification / Q000378:metabolism*; D042082:Methylobacteriaceae / Q000145:classification / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000528:radiation effects; D010084:Oxidation-Reduction / Q000528:radiation effects; D010100:Oxygen / Q000378:metabolism*; D013045:Species Specificity
D005561:Formates; C030544:formic acid; D002245:Carbon Dioxide; D010100:Oxygen
CO(2) reduction; Electro-biocatalysis; Formate production; Methylobacterium extorquens AM1; Oxygen stability