Constructs and strains for fixing carbon dioxide and methods for preparing the same (Shell)

CATEGORY: CARBON CAPTURE 
Constructs and strains for fixing carbon dioxide and methods for preparing the same (Shell)

Type	Patent
Inventor	Xuefeng LU
Inventor	Liu Yang
URL	Free Full Text Full Text Source (Subscription or Fee):  http://www.google.com/patents/US20140178961
Assignee	Shell Oil Company
Patent Number	US20140178961 A1
Issue Date	Jun 26, 2014
Abstract	The present invention relates to a construct for accomplishing fixation of carbon dioxide and/or reduction of carbon dioxide emission in a heterotrophic microorganism (for example, a heterotrophic fermentation strain, such as E. coli), a vector comprising the construct, a heterotrophic microorganism (for example, a heterotrophic fermentation strain, such as E. coli) comprising the construct or being transformed with the vector, and a method for fixing carbon dioxide and/or reducing carbon dioxide emission in a heterotrophic microorganism (for example, a heterotrophic fermentation strain, such as E. coli). BACKGROUND This section is intended to introduce various aspects of the art, which may be associated with exemplary embodiments of the present invention. This discussion is believed to assist in providing a framework to facilitate a better understanding of particular aspects of the present invention. Accordingly, it should be understood that this section should be read in this light, and not necessarily as admissions of any prior art. Due to sustaining high-speed increase of energy needs, rising energy price, undersupply of fossil energy as well as the problems caused by excessive use of fossil energy such as environmental pollution and climate change, the development of renewable alternative energy resources is extremely urgent. As to the problems such as reducing dependence on petroleum resources and reducing carbon dioxide emission, the techniques for producing biofuel and biochemical products, which are based on employment of biomass resources, are attractive and effective means. However, carbon dioxide emission, resulted from the production of biofuel and biochemical products, makes environment-friendly characteristic and “zero carbon emission” of bioproducts contentious. During fermentation of biomass, due to the metabolism of microorganisms, carbon dioxide emission is essentially unavoidable. The degradation and oxidation of most of active and functional biomacromolecules such as carbohydrates, lipids and proteins are accompanied by carbon dioxide generation and/or emission. For example, when glucoses are used as substrate in anaerobic fermentation of biomass to produce bioproducts and derivatize saccharides, the generation of each ethanol molecule is accompanied by the emission of one carbon dioxide molecule: C6H12O6→2C2H5OH+2 CO2. Therefore, no matter in view of scientific study or optimization of industrial production and environmental protection, it is quite necessary to reduce or avoid carbon dioxide emission during fermentation of microorganisms. As evidenced by the foregoing, it is desirable to reduce or avoid carbon dioxide emission during fermentation of microorganisms.