Genetic engineering of yeast for conversion lignocellulosic material to ferulic acid

Abstract

The research for renewable sources of energy is constantly due to the fact that fossil fuels cause several problems that affect the environment, the economy and the society. In this scenario, lignocellulosic biomass takes some advantages, since this material consists of cellulose and hemicellulose that can be used for ethanol production, in addition to lignin, which can be converted into high chemical compounds. Despite of having a high recalcitrance owing its complex structure of polymers, lignin can be degraded by some oxidative enzymes of bacteria and fungi, such as peroxidases. Thus, this work aims the genetic improvement of yeast Rhodosporidium sp., a microorganism capable of degrading lignin, in order to develop a process of conversion of lignocellulosic material to ferulic acid. This compound is a precursor of chemical compounds used in the industry, such as L-DOPA (L-3,4-dihydroxyphenylalanine) and coniferyl alcohol. The evaluation of the enzymatic system and the lignin conversion pathways in this yeast will serve as the basis for silencing and overexpression of genes using the CRISPR/Cas9 system. (AU)