Enhancing Xylitol Production Via Recombinant Escherichia coli: A Box-Behnken Design Approach

Abstract

To enhance xylitol production while addressing the inefficiencies of conventional methods, this study explores the use of genetically modified Escherichia coli BL21 (DE3). Utilizing glucose as the primary substrate, this research capitalizes on the metabolic versatility of E. coli to convert glucose, a readily available and cost-effective sugar, into xylitol. This process harnesses the potential of microbial synthesis for xylitol, a sugar alcohol significant for its dental health benefits and non-caloric nature. Production process optimization was conducted through Response Surface Methodology (RSM) integrated with a Box-Behnken Design (BBD). This approach facilitated the systematic evaluation of three key culture conditions: post-induction temperature (36.2°C), pH (7.2), and agitation rate (184.1 rpm). The optimization resulted in a substantial 2.7-fold increase in xylitol concentration, achieving up to 1.60 g/L. The model's effectiveness was validated by a high coefficient of determination (R² = 0.9847), emphasizing the predictive accuracy and robustness of the experimental design. This study demonstrates an economically and environmentally sustainable method for xylitol production. It advances the field of microbial engineering, underscoring the critical role of integrating advanced genetic modifications with process optimization for efficient biochemical production.