Analytical tools for unravelling the metabolism of gas-fermenting Clostridia

Acetogens harness the Wood-Ljungdahl Pathway, a unique metabolic pathway for C1 capture close to the thermodynamic limit. Gas fermentation using acetogens is already used for COto-ethanol conversion at industrial-scale and has the potential to valorise a range of C1 and waste substrates to short-chain and medium-chain carboxylic acids and alcohols. Advances in analytical quantification and metabolic modelling have helped guide industrial gas fermentation designs. Further advances in the measurements of difficult to measure metabolites are required to improve kinetic modelling and understand the regulation of acetogen metabolism. This will help guide future synthetic biology designs needed to realise the full potential of gas fermentation in stimulating a circular bioeconomy.

Automated summary

Acetogens use the unique Wood-Ljungdahl Pathway to capture C1 close to the thermodynamic limit. Gas fermentation using acetogens has been applied on an industrial scale for CO2 to ethanol conversion and has the potential to convert various C1 and waste substrates to carboxylic acids and alcohols. Advances in analytical quantification and metabolic modelling have guided industrial gas fermentation designs, but further improvements in measuring difficult metabolites are needed.