Pseudoxanthomonas taiwanensis Enhances Ethanol Production of Natural Bacterial Consortia

Natural bacterial consortia are promising in the production of ethanol from lignocellulosic feedstock due to its adaptation to a wider range of natural substrates as well as its capacity for efficient cellulose degradation. However, their low ethanol conversion efficiency has greatly limited their development and application.

Researchers led by Tsinghua University's Shizhong Li analyzed different natural bacterial consortia in China and found that the "HP" consortium exhibited relatively high ethanol production. The team also discovered that a certain bacterium, Pseudoxanthomonas taiwanensis, was vital in the productivity of the consortia. This strain was also responsible for boosting the ethanol production of other natural bacterial consortia.

The team also developed a new consortium, called HPP, and optimized the proportion of P. taiwanensis in it to achieve the highest ethanol production reported for natural consortia.