Chain elongators, friends, and foes

Bioproduction of medium chain carboxylic acids has recently emerged as an alternative strategy to valorize low-value organic waste and side-streams. Key to this route is chain elongation, an anaerobic microbial process driven by ethanol, lactic acid, or carbohydrates. Because these technologies use wastes as feedstocks, mixed microbial communities are often considered as biocatalysts. Understanding and steering these microbiomes is key to optimize bioprocess performance. From a meta-analysis of publicly available sequencing data, we (i) explore how the current collection of isolated chain elongators compares to microbiome members, (ii) discuss the main beneficial and antagonistic interactions with community partners, and (iii) identify the key research gaps and needs to help understand chain elongation microbiomes, and design/ steer these novel bioproduction processes.

Automated summary

The production of medium chain carboxylic acids from low-value organic waste and side-streams through chain elongation process is driven by anaerobic microbial activity. Mixed microbial communities are considered as biocatalysts due to the use of wastes as feedstocks. Understanding and steering these microbiomes are crucial for optimizing bioprocess performance.