Takao Kasuga

Integrated hydrothermal and microbial valorization of almond shells into xylooligosaccharides and cellobionic acid

Almond shells are abundant lignocellulosic by-products with great potential for sustainable valorization. This study developed an integrated biorefinery process to produce xylooligosaccharides (XOS) and cellobionic acid (CBA) through hydrothermal pretreatment and fungal simultane...

Engineering Klebsiella oxytoca for enhanced 2,3-butanediol production from gluconate

Abstract Background Historically, microbial production of 2,3-BD has relied predominantly on glucose as the substrate. However, its fermentation necessitates microaerobic conditions due to inherent redox imbalances. This limitation complicates process control and can lead to unde...

Engineering Thermothelomyces heterothallica for cellobionate production

Abstract In this study, a thermophilic cellulolytic filamentous fungus Thermothelomyces heterothallica was engineered for direct production of cellobionic acid (CBA) from alkali-pretreated wheat straw without the addition of external cellulases. The CBA bioproduction pathway was...