Glutamic acid synthesis from methanol: Theoretical considerations

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Abstract
To determine to what extent methanol in addition to the commonly used glucose is an attractive alternative feedstock for glutamic acid production, a comparative theoretical consideration of possible yields is given. Methanol can be assimilated by bacteria via three different metabolic pathways. With regard to the corresponding energy balance equations the overproduction process is either energy‐deficient, energy‐neutral or energy‐excess. The theoretical maximum yields of glutamic acid synthesis with methanol as a substrate are not substantially lower than based on glucose. In one case the value is even higher. From the aspect of possible yields methanol would not be less convenient than glucose and the serine pathway seems to be the most suitable one for the synthesis of glutamic acid.