Whole-Cell Biocatalytic Production of 2,5-Furandicarboxylic Acid

2,5-Furandicarboxylic acid (FDCA) is considered a highly promising bio-based alternative to terephthalic acid for the production of polymers. Whole-cell biotransformation of 5-(hydroxymethyl)furfural (HMF) into FDCA is catalyzed by the HMF/furfural oxidoreductase HmfH from Cupriavidus basilensis HMF14 in Pseudomonas putida S12. The conversion rate was enhanced by the additional expression of hmfT1 and adh, respectively encoding a transporter for HMF and/or its derivatives and an aldehyde dehydrogenase. With this optimized whole-cell biocatalyst, FDCA could be produced at titers exceeding 100 g l−1 in a pH-controlled fed-batch process. Purification of FDCA can be achieved by centrifugation, precipitation, and solvent extraction. In all, biocatalytically produced FDCA has great potential as a “green” substitute for terephthalic acid, although further developments are required for industrial-scale production and application.