In this project, biosynthetic pathways are to be created for the synthesis of 1,2,4-butanetriol. Biosynthetic pathways are to be designed and constructed for the synthesis of D-1,2,4-butanetriol from D-xylose and the synthesis of L-1,2,4-butanetriol from L-arabinose. Biosynthetic pathways will also be designed and constructed for the synthesis of D-1,2,4-butanetriol, L-1,2,4-butanetriol and mixtures of these enantiomers from erythritol. D-Xylose and L-arabinose can be derived from abundantly available corn fiber. Erythritol is a fermentation product produced from D-glucose, which can be derived from abundantly available corn starch. Each biosynthetic pathway to be created will be expressed in a separate microbial construct. Fermentor-controlled cultivation of the microbial constructs with pentose or erythritol will lead to synthesis of the desired 1,2,4-butantriol enantiomer(s).
