초록
<P><B>Abstract</B></P> <P>Microbial electrosynthesis (MES) is a promising technology for the reduction of carbon dioxide into value-added multicarbon molecules. In order to broaden the product profile of MES processes, we developed a two-stage process for microbial conversion of carbon dioxide and electricity into long chain alkyl esters. In the first stage, the carbon dioxide is reduced to organic compounds, mainly acetate, in a MES process by <I>Sporomusa ovata</I>. In the second stage, the liquid end-products of the MES process are converted to the final product by a second microorganism, <I>Acinetobacter baylyi</I> in an aerobic bioprocess. In this proof-of-principle study, we demonstrate for the first time the bacterial production of long alkyl esters (wax esters) from carbon dioxide and electricity as the sole sources of carbon and energy. The process holds potential for the efficient production of carbon-neutral chemicals or biofuels.</P> <P><B>Highlights</B></P> <P> <UL> <LI> Microbial production of wax esters from CO<SUB>2</SUB> and electricity was demonstrated. </LI> <LI> CO<SUB>2</SUB> can be reduced to acetate in microbial electrosynthesis by <I>Sporomusa ovata.</I> </LI> <LI> Acetate can be converted to long chain alkyl esters by <I>Acinetobacter baylyi.</I> </LI> <LI> These two processes were coupled to produce long chain alkyl esters from CO<SUB>2</SUB>. </LI> <LI> Potential for production of broad range of carbon-neutral biofuels or chemicals. </LI> </UL> </P> <P><B>Graphical abstract</B></P> <P>[DISPLAY OMISSION]</P>