title: Chain Elongation with Reactor Microbiomes: Open-Culture Biotechnology To Produce Biochemicals.
abstract: Chain elongation into medium-chain carboxylates, such as n-caproate and n-caprylate, with ethanol as an electron donor and with open cultures of microbial consortia (i.e., reactor microbiomes) under anaerobic conditions is being developed as a biotechnological production platform. The goal is to use the high thermodynamic efficiency of anaerobic fermentation to convert organic biomass or organic wastes into valuable biochemicals that can be extracted. Several liter-scale studies have been completed and a first pilot-plant study is underway. However, the underlying microbial pathways are not always well understood. In addition, an interdisciplinary approach with knowledge from fields ranging from microbiology and chemical separations to biochemistry and environmental engineering is required. To bring together research from different fields, we reviewed the literature starting with the microbiology and ending with the bioprocess engineering studies that already have been performed. Because understanding the microbial pathways is so important to predict and steer performance, we delved into a stoichiometric and thermodynamic model that sheds light on the effect of substrate ratios and environmental conditions on product formation. Finally, we ended with an outlook.
authors: Department of Biological and Environmental Engineering, Cornell University , 226 Riley-Robb Hall, Ithaca, New York 14853, United States.
authors: Largus T
authors: LT
authors: Angenent
authors: Department of Biological and Environmental Engineering, Cornell University , 226 Riley-Robb Hall, Ithaca, New York 14853, United States.
authors: Hanno
authors: H
authors: Richter
authors: Laboratorium für Mikrobiologie, Fachbereich Biologie and SYNMIKRO, Philipps-Universität , 35032 Marburg, Germany.|Max-Planck-Institut für terrestrische Mikrobiologie, Karl-von-Frisch-Str. 10, 35043 Marburg, Germany.
authors: Wolfgang
authors: W
authors: Buckel
authors: Department of Biological and Environmental Engineering, Cornell University , 226 Riley-Robb Hall, Ithaca, New York 14853, United States.
authors: Catherine M
authors: CM
authors: Spirito
authors: Sub-Department of Environmental Technology, Wageningen University , P.O. Box 17, 6700 AA Wageningen, The Netherlands.|Delft Advanced Biorenewables (DAB), Julianalaan 67, 2628 BC Delft, The Netherlands.
authors: Kirsten J J
authors: KJ
authors: Steinbusch
authors: Laboratory of Microbiology, Wageningen University , Dreijenplein 10, 6703 HB Wageningen, The Netherlands.|Wetsus - European Centre of Excellence for Sustainable Water Technology, Oostergoweg 9, 8911 MA Leeuwarden, The Netherlands.
authors: Caroline M
authors: CM
authors: Plugge
authors: Sub-Department of Environmental Technology, Wageningen University , P.O. Box 17, 6700 AA Wageningen, The Netherlands.
authors: David P B T B
authors: DP
authors: Strik
authors: Sub-Department of Environmental Technology, Wageningen University , P.O. Box 17, 6700 AA Wageningen, The Netherlands.|Royal Cosun, P.O. Box 3411, 4800 MG Breda, The Netherlands.
authors: Tim I M
authors: TI
authors: Grootscholten
authors: Sub-Department of Environmental Technology, Wageningen University , P.O. Box 17, 6700 AA Wageningen, The Netherlands.|Wetsus - European Centre of Excellence for Sustainable Water Technology, Oostergoweg 9, 8911 MA Leeuwarden, The Netherlands.
authors: Cees J N
authors: CJ
authors: Buisman
authors: Wetsus - European Centre of Excellence for Sustainable Water Technology, Oostergoweg 9, 8911 MA Leeuwarden, The Netherlands.
authors: Hubertus V M
authors: HV
authors: Hamelers
mesh_terms: D001419:Bacteria / Q000145:classification / Q000378:metabolism; D019149:Bioreactors / Q000382:microbiology*; D005285:Fermentation; D064307:Microbiota; D009930:Organic Chemicals / Q000737:chemistry / Q000378:metabolism*
chemical_list: D009930:Organic Chemicals