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Title: Alpha-galactosidase Gene Expression for Fermentative Utilization of Soy Molasses

Author
item Solaiman, Daniel
item Ashby, Richard - Rick
item Foglia, Thomas
item Marmer, William
item Hotchkiss, Arland
item KOBAYASHI, HIDEYUKI - NATIONAL FOOD RES INST

Submitted to: UJNR Food & Agricultural Panel Proceedings
Publication Type: Proceedings
Publication Acceptance Date: 10/1/2006
Publication Date: 10/21/2006
Citation: Solaiman, D., Ashby, R.D., Foglia, T.A., Marmer, W.N., Hotchkiss, A.T., Kobayashi, H. 2006. Alpha-galactosidase Gene Expression for Fermentative Utilization of Soy Molasses. Proceedings of the United States - Japan Cooperative Program in Natural Resources Food & Agricultural Panel. p. BT23-BT-28.

Interpretive Summary:

Technical Abstract: Soy molasses is a carbohydrate-rich coproduct stream generated from the manufacturing of soy-protein concentrates and isolates. Our on-going research has demonstrated the potential of using soy molasses as a carbon source for the microbial production of poly(hydroxyalkanoates) (PHA). Optimal utilization of the carbohydrates in soy molasses, however, requires the hydrolysis of the major soy oligosaccharides, stachyose and raffinose. Alpha-galactosidase is a family of enzymes that catalyzes the hydrolysis of the soy oligosaccharides. In this paper, we describe our work that shows a successful introduction and/or expression of Streptomyces coelicolor alpha-galactosidase gene (alpha-gal) and its catalytically active truncated form (delta-alpha-gal) into E. coli transient host and the PHA-producing Pseudomonas corrugata. We are also investigating the use of chromosomal integration vectors to insert alpha-gal and delta-alpha-gal into the genomic DNA of P. corrugata and P. chlororaphis to obtain more stable recombinants. These results form the groundwork for our continued efforts to optimize the production of PHA biopolymer using an inexpensive feedstock such as soy molasses as a carbon source.