Biocatalytic conversion of methane – selected aspects

Publication date: December 2019Source: Current Opinion in Chemical Engineering, Volume 26Author(s): Agnieszka Kasprzycka, Justyna Lalak-Kańczugowska, Anna Walkiewicz, Piotr Bulak, Kinga Proc, Łukasz StępieńIn this review we summarize the findings reported recently concerning molecular studies and biotechnological approaches to utilize natural properties of methanotrophs in the efforts to minimize human influence on the environment. Most important enzymatic mechanisms were described, along with the groups of microorganisms responsible for these. Moreover, genetic tools designed to improve the efficiency of methanotrophs have been presented including modern gene-editing, systems and synthetic biology, as well as the metabolic modelling methods. Additionally, practical problems in the application of effective processes in large scale were shown, including slow growth and low cell density of cultured methanotrophs. Finally, the microbiological electrochemical technologies, such as direct energy generation (microbiological fuel cells or MFC), bioelectrochemical systems (BES), microbiological electrochemical systems (MES) are discussed.Graphical abstract
Source: Current Opinion in Chemical Engineering - Category: Chemistry Source Type: research