Synthetic Biology-Enabled Green Biomanufacturing of Bio-based Platform Chemicals: A Review of Lactic Acid, Succinic Acid, 3-Hydroxypropionic Acid, and Adipic Acid

Abstract

Organic acids are significant bio-based platform chemicals with extensive application potential. The growing demand for biodegradable plastics, which utilize organic acids as their key monomers to mitigate plastic pollution, has been a major driver accelerating the advancement of organic acid biomanufacturing. This review systematically surveys recent progress in the biotechnological production of four representative organic acids, namely lactic acid, succinic acid, 3-hydroxypropionic acid, and adipic acid. And this review elaborates on the exploratory work directions currently being conducted by researchers on these organic acids. In particular, the applications of synthetic biology enabling strategies, such as synthetic biological components, genome editing technologies, metabolic engineering optimization, and adaptive laboratory evolution, for the development of high-performance microbial cell factories are systematically summarized. This review highlights the potential of emerging synthetic biology strategies in facilitating efficient and sustainable organic acid production and provides theoretical insights and practical guidance for the advancement of green biomanufacturing.