title: Emerging biotechnologies for production of itaconic acid and its applications as a platform chemical.
abstract: Recently, itaconic acid (IA), an unsaturated C5-dicarboxylic acid, has attracted much attention as a biobased building block chemical. It is produced industrially (>80 g L-1) from glucose by fermentation with Aspergillus terreus. The titer is low compared with citric acid production (>200 g L-1). This review summarizes the latest progress on enhancing the yield and productivity of IA production. IA biosynthesis involves the decarboxylation of the TCA cycle intermediate cis-aconitate through the action of cis-aconitate decarboxylase (CAD) enzyme encoded by the CadA gene in A. terreus. A number of recombinant microorganisms have been developed in an effort to overproduce it. IA is used as a monomer for production of superabsorbent polymer, resins, plastics, paints, and synthetic fibers. Its applications as a platform chemical are highlighted. It has a strong potential to replace petroleum-based methylacrylic acid in industry which will create a huge market for IA.
authors.affiliation: Bioenergy Research Unit, National Center for Agricultural Utilization Research, Agricultural Research Service, U.S. Department of Agriculture, 1815 N. University Street, Peoria, IL, 61604, USA. Badal.Saha@ars.usda.gov.
authors.forename: Badal C
authors.initials: BC
authors.lastname: Saha
mesh_terms: D001230:Aspergillus / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism; D001709:Biotechnology; D002262:Carboxy-Lyases / Q000378:metabolism; D019343:Citric Acid / Q000378:metabolism; D005285:Fermentation; D005656:Fungal Proteins / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism; D005800:Genes, Fungal; D005947:Glucose / Q000378:metabolism; D005990:Glycerol / Q000378:metabolism; D007218:Industrial Microbiology; D008031:Lignin / Q000378:metabolism; D013386:Succinates / Q000378:metabolism*; D014994:Xylose / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D005656:Fungal Proteins; D013386:Succinates; C036909:lignocellulose; D019343:Citric Acid; D008031:Lignin; D014994:Xylose; D002262:Carboxy-Lyases; C018742:aconitate decarboxylase; D005947:Glucose; D005990:Glycerol; C005229:itaconic acid
keywords: Aspergillus terreus; Fermentation; Itaconic acid; Platform chemical; cis-Aconitate decarboxylase