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Production of D-tagatose, bioethanol, and microbial protein from the dairy industry by-product whey powder using an integrated bioprocess
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  • wei Ma,
  • Fengyi Li,
  • Longyue Li,
  • Bin Li,
  • Kangle Niu,
  • Qinghua Liu,
  • Laichuang Han,
  • Lijuan Han,
  • Xu Fang
wei Ma
Shandong University
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Fengyi Li
Shandong University
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Longyue Li
Shandong University
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Bin Li
Shandong Henglu Biotechnology Co., Ltd.
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Kangle Niu
Shandong University
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Qinghua Liu
Shandong Henglu Biotechnology Co., Ltd.
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Laichuang Han
Jiangnan University
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Lijuan Han
Shandong University
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Xu Fang
Shandong University

Corresponding Author:[email protected]

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Abstract

We designed and constructed a green, sustainable, and nongenetically modified organism (non-GMO) bioprocess to efficiently coproduce D-tagatose, bioethanol, and microbial protein from whey powder. First, a one-pot biosynthesis process involving lactose hydrolysis and D-galactose redox reactions for D-tagatose production was established in vitro via a three-enzyme cascade. Second, a nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate-dependent galactitol dehydrogenase mutant, D36A/I37R, based on the nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide-dependent polyol dehydrogenase from Paracoccus denitrificans was created through rational design and screening. Moreover, an NADPH recycling module was created in the oxidoreductive pathway, and the tagatose yield increased by 3.35-fold compared with that achieved through the pathway without the cofactor cycle. The reaction process was accelerated using an enzyme assembly with a glycine–serine linker, and the tagatose production rate was 9.28-fold higher than the initial yield. Finally, Saccharomyces cerevisiae was introduced into the reaction solution, and 266.5 g of D-tagatose, 371.3 g of bioethanol, and 215.4 g of dry yeast (including 38% protein) were obtained from 1 kg of whey powder (including 810 g lactose). This study provides a promising non-GMO process for functional food (D-tagatose) production. Moreover, this process fully utilized whey powder, demonstrating good atom economy.
17 Aug 2023Submitted to Biotechnology Journal
17 Aug 2023Submission Checks Completed
17 Aug 2023Assigned to Editor
18 Aug 2023Reviewer(s) Assigned
08 Oct 2023Review(s) Completed, Editorial Evaluation Pending
10 Oct 2023Editorial Decision: Revise Minor