US 7,524,660 B2
Utilization of fructose in microbial production strains
Perry Caimi, Kennett Square, Pa. (US); and Charles Nakamura, Claymont, Del. (US)
Assigned to E.I. du Pont de Nemours and Company, Wilmington, Del. (US)
Filed on May 05, 2005, as Appl. No. 11/122,811.
Prior Publication US 2006/0252136 A1, Nov. 09, 2006
Int. Cl. C12P 7/20 (2006.01); C12P 21/00 (2006.01); C12N 15/00 (2006.01); C12N 9/10 (2006.01); C12N 1/21 (2006.01); C07K 14/00 (2006.01); C07H 21/00 (2006.01)
U.S. Cl. 435—159  [435/69.1; 435/320.1; 435/252.3; 435/252.33; 435/440; 435/193; 530/350; 536/23.2] 17 Claims
 
1. A process for the microbial production of glycerol and glycerol derivatives comprising:
(a) providing a phosphoenolpyruvate-dependent phosphotransferase system negative (PTS) microorganism expressing an endogenous fructose transport protein activity wherein said microorganism is selected from the group consisting of Escherichia, Citrobacter, Klebsiella and Aerobacter;
(b) modifying the microorganism of step (a) to increase fructokinase activity in the microorganism by expressing an Agrobacterium or Streptococcus scrK gene, which encodes a fructokinase;
(c) culturing the microorganism of step (b) in a fructose-containing medium, whereby the microorganism utilizes fructose to produce glycerol and one or more glycerol derivatives selected from the group consisting of 3-hydroxypropionic acid (3-HPA), methylglyoxal, 1,2-propanediol, and 1,3-propanediol; and
(d) optionally, recovering the glycerol or one or more glycerol derivatives selected from the group consisting of 3-hydroxypropionic acid (3-HPA), methylglyoxal, 1,2-propanediol, and 1,3-propanediol, or combinations thereof.