Dissertation
ASPERGILLUS CARBONARIUS ITEM5010 AS A MODEL ORGANISM FOR ADVANCED BIOFUEL PRODUCTION
Doctor of Philosophy (PhD), Washington State University
01/2015
Handle:
https://hdl.handle.net/2376/117584
Abstract
Filamentous fungi are unique because of their ability to degrade biomass by thriving in lignocellulose-rich environments. Some filamentous fungi can produce alkanes and alkenes from diverse carbon sources. The biosynthesis pathways in these microbial systems yield molecules that resemble gasoline components, including straight and branched chains of alkanes and alkenes from fatty acid pathways, which can be directly used as biodiesel and aviation fuel components. Renewable methods for producing fuel grade hydrocarbons are being investigated for potential petroleum replacement.
Aspergillus carbonarius ITEM 5010 is a full genome sequenced filamentous fungus with well-known genetic engineering methods, and can grow well in pretreated lignocellulosic biomasses. These qualities of A. carbonarius make it a viable organism for developing strains through genetic manipulation for future advanced biofuel production. This study involved genetic manipulation to enhance the production of hydrocarbons and intracellular fatty acids that can be directly used as advanced biofuel.
An introduction, presented in the first chapter describes the overall goals and objectives of this research study. The second chapter provides a general review of literature regarding the microorganisms involved in microbial biofuel production and potential biosynthesis pathways of biofuel components.
The third chapter examines the potential of A. carbonarius ITEM 5010 in production of fuel grade hydrocarbons from different carbon sources including lignocellulosic biomass such as switch grass and corn stover. The fourth chapter provides the detailed research related to genetic manipulation of A. carbonarius ITEM 5010 for enhanced intracellular fatty acid production. The fifth chapter presents the heterologous expression of two cyanobacterial genes for the production of fuel grade alkanes. And finally, the sixth chapter holds the overall conclusion of the research presented in this dissertation.
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Details
- Title
- ASPERGILLUS CARBONARIUS ITEM5010 AS A MODEL ORGANISM FOR ADVANCED BIOFUEL PRODUCTION
- Creators
- Malavika Sinha
- Contributors
- Birgitte K Ahring (Advisor)Abu lail Nehal (Committee Member)Scott E Baker (Committee Member)Kenneth S Bruno (Committee Member)
- Awarding Institution
- Washington State University
- Academic Unit
- Voiland College of Engineering and Architecture
- Theses and Dissertations
- Doctor of Philosophy (PhD), Washington State University
- Number of pages
- 130
- Identifiers
- 99900581841601842
- Language
- English
- Resource Type
- Dissertation