The exploration of microbial biofuel production has expanded in recent years beyond ethanol to a variety of heavier alcohols and fatty acid derived biodiesel.  Synthesis of branched alcohols in the eight carbon range are an appealing target because their properties, including energy density and improved octane rating, approach those of primary components of gasoline.  We are developing a parallel type II fatty acid synthase for the production of shortened branched acids and eventually alcohols in E. coli.  Here we present work on the synthesis of 7-methyl-octanoic acid and the effect of a heterologous FAS on endogenous fatty acid synthesis.

Biosynthesis of branched short-chain fatty acids via a heterologous fatty acid synthase in Escherichia coli

245th National Meeting (2013)

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