Theoretical and Practical Studies on the Metabolic Engineering of Streptomyces for Production of Butanols

Biofuels have emerged as one of the important sustainable fuel sources and are considered as a promising way to minimize Greenhouse Gas emissions and provide new energy sources [13]. Different countries have developed different strategies to introduce biofuels. The main concern is the economic drivers for each fuel, which varies with location and feedstocks. In addition, strategic and environmental aspects play a crucial role in the production and utilization of biofuels [4]. Feedstocks, i.e. lignocelluloses, in the form of wood waste and straw are attractive alternative substrates, being available in large quantities in many geographic locations. Lignocelluloses contain carbohydrates in the form of cellulose (a polymer formed exclusively of glucose) and hemicelluloses (hetero polymers of various hexoses and pentoses in a branched structure). Invariably, they also contain lignin, a polymer of toxic aromatic compounds [5]. To act as a feedstock, the cellulose and hemi-cellulose must first be digested to low molecular weight sugars, and these are fermented to alcohols (Figure 1). Volume 5 Issue 7 2017