Synthetic biology approaches to improve tolerance of inhibitors in lignocellulosic hydrolysates

Biotechnol Adv. 2025 Jan-Feb:78:108477. doi: 10.1016/j.biotechadv.2024.108477. Epub 2024 Nov 16.

Abstract

Increasing attention is being focused on using lignocellulose for valuable products. Microbial decomposition can convert lignocellulose into renewable biofuels and other high-value bioproducts, contributing to sustainable development. However, the presence of inhibitors in lignocellulosic hydrolysates can negatively affect microorganisms during fermentation. Improving microbial tolerance to these hydrolysates is a major focus in metabolic engineering. Traditional detoxification methods increase costs, so there is a need for cheap and efficient cell-based detoxification strategies. Synthetic biology approaches offer several strategies for improving microbial tolerance, including redox balancing, membrane engineering, omics-guided technologies, expression of protectants and transcription factors, irrational engineering, cell flocculation, and other novel technologies. Advances in molecular biology, high-throughput sequencing, and artificial intelligence (AI) allow for precise strain modification and efficient industrial production. Developing AI-based computational models to guide synthetic biology efforts and creating large-scale heterologous libraries with automation and high-throughput technologies will be important for future research.

Keywords: Inhibitors; Lignocellulosic hydrolysates; Synthetic biology; Tolerance.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Artificial Intelligence
  • Biofuels
  • Hydrolysis
  • Lignin* / metabolism
  • Metabolic Engineering* / methods
  • Metabolic Engineering* / trends
  • Synthetic Biology* / methods
  • Synthetic Biology* / trends

Substances

  • Biofuels
  • Lignin
  • lignocellulose