- Reduce greenhouse gas emissions and increase sustainability by converting methane gas into high-value compounds

- The research was published in the world-renowned journal Bioresource Technology, and the research team made BRIC’s list of “People Who Made Korea Shine.”

A research team led by Prof. Yong Jun Choi of the School of Environmental Engineering at the University of Seoul has developed a new method to reduce the carbon dioxide emissions from Methylocystis sp. MJC1 and convert methane gas to phytoene, a high-value compound, using a green biological conversion technology. 

The research, which is notable for opening up the possibility of eco-friendly production of compounds with industrial value along with greenhouse gas reduction, has been published in the world-renowned journal Bioresource Technology as “Microbial upcycling of methane to phytoene using metabolically engineered Methylocystis sp. MJC1 strain.”

Methane is a greenhouse gas with a global warming potential up to 84 times higher than carbon dioxide, making its reduction urgently necessary to achieve carbon neutrality. The team metabolically engineered a methanogenic bacterium that feeds on methane to create a platform for sustainable chemical production from methane. By reconstructing the metabolic pathway by which methanotrophs digest methane into phytoene, a high-value carotenoid, we have developed phytoene-producing microorganisms and improved their productivity. 

▶ Reconstructed metabolic pathway of methanotrophs to convert methane to phytoene

“Applying synthetic biology to methanogens with unique characteristics to improve their metabolic pathways was more challenging than we expected, but through collaboration with team members and a systematic approach, we were able to achieve our goal,” said Dr. Chang-Keun Kang, the first author of the paper.

The research provides an economical and environmentally friendly alternative to traditional chemical synthesis techniques that utilize methane to reduce greenhouse gases and produce industrially useful compounds at the same time. In particular, the phytoene produced has the potential to be utilized as a high-end cosmetic ingredient, showing promise for large-scale industrial application.

“This is a breakthrough technology that can reduce methane and create industrial value at the same time,” said Prof. Yong Jun Choi, lead author of the study. “We will strive to establish it as a sustainable technology through large-scale empirical studies and industrialization in the future.”

The research was funded by the National Research Foundation of Korea and the Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries, and Prof. Yong Jun Choi and Dr. Chang-Keun Kang were featured in the “People Who Made Korea Shine” list published by the Biological Research Information Center (BRIC) in recognition of their work.

▶ (Left) Professor Yong Jun Choi, University of Seoul (Corresponding author), (Right) Dr. Chang-Keun Kang (First author)