Improved biosynthesis of 2,5-Furandicarboxylic acid through coupling of heterologous pathways in Escherichia coli and native pathways in Pseudomonas putida

2,5-Furandicarboxylic acid (FDCA) is one of the most important platform chemicals especially as a promising alternative to terephthalic acid. In this study, a new and prospective tandem whole-cell cascade composed of recombinant Escherichia coll. and wild Pseudomonas putida KT2440 was constructed for FDCA production from 5-hydroxymethylfurfural (HMF) based on their respective alcohol and aldehyde oxidation activities. In particular, P. putida proved superior biocatalytic ability to furanic aldehydes. In the stepwise reaction, HMF (up to 100 mM) was fully oxidized to FDCA, with bioconversion rate much faster than other reported biocatalysts either as single enzyme or as combinations. Besides, this study is the first time to construct a whole-cell cascade system achieving FDCA production with quantitative yield.