Glucose/Furfural Substrate Mixtures in Non‐Engineered Yeast: Potential for Massive Rerouting of Fermentation to C−C Bond Formation on Furfural

Suitable mixtures of glucose and furfural may provide novel strategies for C-C bond formation on due to the versatility low-cost biological catalysts. We use in-cell NMR with non-engineered commercial yeast as catalyst determine interplay between metabolism in yeast. The presence is shown modulate kinetic barriers conversion favor accumulation acetaldehyde situ. As a result, carbons are remarkably strongly redirected towards glucose-derived C2 unit. In suitable glucose/furfural substrate yeasts, can achieve relative influxes at least 80% into furfural, compared only 20% ethanol. Chain-elongation by thus seems viable strategy upgrading lignocellulosic biomass through concurrent glucose. product related chemicals that already have found value fine chemical pharmaceutical industries.