Methods of using natural and engineered organisms to produce small molecules for industrial application
Methods are provided for producing omega-7 fatty acids from feedstock that includes syngas using Rhodococcus microorganisms. The syngas feedstock includes at least one of CO or a mixture of CO 2 and H 2 , and the methods include introducing syngas into a bioreactor, where chemoautotrophic Rhodococcus microorganisms convert the gaseous feedstock into omega-7 fatty acids, such as palmitoleic acid and vaccenic acid.
1. A method for the production of omega-7 fatty acids from feedstock comprising syngas, the process comprising passing said syngas to a bioreactor for contact therein with chemoautotrophic Rhodococcus microorganisms DSM 3346 or DSM 43205, wherein said Rhodococcus microorganisms convert said syngas into omega-7 fatty acids in said bioreactor and produce a cell mass.
2. The method of claim 1 further comprising separating the cell mass from a supernatant by centrifugation to create a biomass pellet.
3. The method of claim 2 wherein the biomass pellet contains omega-7 fatty acids.
4. The method of claim 3 wherein the omega-7 fatty acids comprise palmitoleic acid (C16:1) and vaccenic acid (C18:1).
5. The method of claim 2 further comprising an extraction step wherein the supernatant is discarded and lipids are eluted from the biomass pellet with an organic solvent.
6. The method of claim 5 wherein the organic solvent is selected from a group comprising: hexane, chloroform, isopropanol, methanol, and acetone.
7. The method of claim 1 wherein the microorganism is a Rhodococcus opacus strain.