Metabolic engineering of Saccharomyces cerevisiae for efficient utilization of pectin-rich biomass

• Published in: The journal of microbiology Vol. 63; no. 7; p. e2503001
• Main Authors: Lee, Dahye, Semidey, Fransheska, Xu, Luping, Oh, Eun Joong
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Korea (South) 한국미생물학회 01.07.2025
• Subjects: Arabinose - metabolism; Biofuels; Biomass; Cellobiose - metabolism; Fermentation; Glucose - metabolism; Hexuronic Acids; Lignin - metabolism; Metabolic Engineering - methods; Pectins - metabolism; Saccharomyces cerevisiae - genetics; Saccharomyces cerevisiae - metabolism; Xylose - metabolism; 생물학; metabolic engineering; pectin-rich biomass; Saccharomyces cerevisiae; glucose repression
• ISSN: 1225-8873; 1976-3794; 1976-3794
• DOI: 10.71150/jm.2503001

Pectin-rich biomass, derived from fruit and citrus processing waste, presents a promising yet underutilized resource for sustainable biofuel and biochemical production. Its low lignin content and high concentrations of fermentable sugars, including D-galacturonic acid, L-arabinose, and D-xylose, make it an attractive feedstock. Unlike lignocellulosic biomass, pectin-rich hydrolysates require milder pretreatment, improving sugar recovery efficiency. However, industrial strains such as Saccharomyces cerevisiae exhibit strong glucose preference, limiting the efficient co-fermentation of mixed sugars. While prior reviews have broadly addressed lignocellulosic biomass utilization, this mini-review uniquely centers on the specific metabolic challenges and opportunities associated with pectin-rich feedstocks. In addition to incorporating established strategies for the co-utilization of cellobiose and xylose, we highlight recent advances that allow S. cerevisiae to metabolize carbon sources specifically from pectin-rich biomass, such as L-arabinose and D-galacturonic acid—monomers not prevalent in traditional lignocellulosic biomass. By integrating discussions on sugar transport engineering, redox balancing, and pathway optimization, this review offers a comprehensive framework to overcome glucose repression and support efficient co-fermentation of carbon sources from conventional and pectin-rich biomass. Drawing on these advances, we outline practical strategies to enhance fermentation performance and expand the valorization of food processing residues in biomanufacturing.