Production of 3-hydroxypropionic acid by recombinant Klebsiella pneumoniae based on aeration and ORP controlled strategy

A biosynthetic pathway for the production of 3-hydroxypropionic acid (3-HP) from glycerol was established in recombinant Klebsiella pneumoniae by introducing the aldehyde dehydrogenase gene from Escherichia coli. The activity of aldehyde dehydrogenase, which oxidized 3-hydroxypropionaldehyde (3-HPA) to 3-HP, was detected and 3-HP was produced by the recombinant strains. Three different oxygen supply strategies, associated with measuring the oxidoreduction potential (ORP) during the fermentation under these conditions, were adopted for higher production of 3-HP by the recombinant cells. About 0.8 g/l 3-HP and more 1,3-propanediol production by the recombinant Klebsiella pneumoniae were obtained under completely aerobic conditions. Under micro-aerobic conditions, 3-HP production could be increased to 2.2 g/l and 1,3-propanediol production was almost the same as in the original strain. Under the anaerobic conditions, 1,3-propanediol was the main product and about 1.3 g/l 3-HP was produced. Finally, 3-HP production of the recombinant strain was increased to 2.8 g/l under micro-aerobic condition with a further two-stage ORP controlled strategy.