Production of Bioisoprene from Wastewater

This study examined a way to generate high-value products that can help transition wastewater treatment facilities into economically viable resource recovery facilities. The project team developed a method to generate isoprene using microbes (methane-producing archaea, methanogens) that can grow in wastewater anaerobic digesters. The methanogen, Methanosarcina acetivorans, was genetically engineered to produce isoprene monomer in chemically defined culture medium using methanol as a carbon and energy source. Isoprene is currently derived from petroleum and is a $4B market with increasing global demand. Published by WRF. 32 pages. Online PDF. (2018)

Originally funded as WERF project NTRY6R14.