Solar‐Driven Overproduction of Biofuels in Microorganisms

Abstract

Microbial cell factories reinvigorate current industries by producing complex fine chemicals at low costs. Reduced nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate (NADPH) is the main reducing power to drive the biosynthetic pathways in microorganisms. However, insufficient intrinsic NADPH limits the productivity of microorganisms. Here, we report that supplying microorganisms with long-lived electrons from persistent phosphor mesoporous Al 2 O 3 (meso-Al 2 O 3 ) can elevate the NADPH level to facilitate efficient fine chemical production. The defects in meso-Al 2 O 3 were demonstrated to be highly efficient in prolonging electrons' lifetime. The long-lived electrons in meso-Al 2 O 3 can pass the material-microorganism interface and power the biosynthetic pathways of E. coli to produce jet fuel farnesene. This work represents a reliable strategy to design photo-biosynthesis systems to improve the productivity of microorganisms with solar energy.

Revisiting Solar Energy Flow in Nanomaterial-Microorganism Hybrid Systems

“…Moreover, the size, structure, and crystallinity of biomimetic-mineralized nanomaterials, which are critical parameters affecting charge separation and recombination, are challenging to further tune once they have been synthesized by microbial cells. Chemically synthesized semiconductor nanomaterials with desired properties, such as elemental composition, morphologies, and band structures, have also been applied to the construction of hybrid systems. ,, For instance, in the NMHS of InP- S. cerevisiae , chemically synthesized InP nanoparticles were formed by reacting indium salts with organic or inorganic phosphorus sources, followed by crushing and high-speed centrifugation . InP possesses an E g of 1.34 eV, indicating a much broader range of excitable wavelengths below 925 nm that extends beyond the visible light spectrum (400 to 800 nm).…”

A Self‐Assembled MOF‐Escherichia Coli Hybrid System for Light‐Driven Fuels and Valuable Chemicals Synthesis

“…[ 10 , 29 , 30 , 31 , 32 , 33 ] Beyond hydrogen, these systems have also demonstrated the production of various valuable organic compounds including acids, alcohols, and biofuels. [ 30 , 31 , 34 ] Despite these achievements, the precise mechanism underlying interfacial electron transfer between semiconductor materials and E. coli cells remains a subject of ongoing investigation. This knowledge gap represents a significant barrier to the optimization and systematic engineering of future biohybrid systems.…”

Nonstoichiometric Nanocubes with a Controllable Morphology and Persistent Luminescence for Autofluorescence-Free Biosensing

“…Persistent luminescence nanoparticles (PLNPs) possess the unique ability to continuously release the trapped excitation energy in forms including luminescence after excitation ceases . Benefiting from great efforts in exploring the functionality of persistent luminescence, − PLNPs have unleashed their fascinating potential in fields ranging from bioimaging to X-ray detection over the past years. − In addition to applications in autofluorescence-free bioimaging, the energy trapped in PLNPs can be released in the form of therapeutic molecules, making PLNPs promising in self-sustained phototherapy. − In addition, the advantages of the long-lived electrons in PLNPs to photocatalysis have been demonstrated in recent years. , Compared to the flourishing progress in application, the controllable synthesis of uniform PLNPs with desired properties lags far behind. − The commonly employed “top-down” synthetic methods for phosphors such as SrAl 2 O 4 /Eu,Dy rely on high-temperature calcination (>1000 °C in a H 2 /Ar atmosphere) and uncontrollable mechanical milling processes, , which produces PLNPs with uneven size distributions, irregular morphologies, and poor surface functionalization . Controllable synthesis of uniform PLNPs through a “bottom-up” manner has received attention in recent years, − but limited achievements have been made.…”

“…8−12 In addition, the advantages of the long-lived electrons in PLNPs to photocatalysis have been demonstrated in recent years. 13,14 Compared to the flourishing progress in application, the controllable synthesis of uniform PLNPs with desired properties lags far behind. 15−17 The commonly employed "top-down" synthetic methods for phosphors such as SrAl 2 O 4 /Eu,Dy rely on high-temperature calcination (>1000 °C in a H 2 /Ar atmosphere) and uncontrollable mechanical milling processes, 18,19 which produces PLNPs with uneven size distributions, irregular morphologies, and poor surface functionalization.…”