Open AccessMethanotrophy - Environmental, Industrial and Medical Applications
Author(s) -
Jeremy D. Semrau,
Alan A. DiSpirito
Publication year - 2019
Publication title -
current issues in molecular biology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.835
H-Index - 53
eISSN - 1467-3045
pISSN - 1467-3037
DOI - 10.21775/cimb.033.001
Subject(s) - methane , environmental science , biochemical engineering , environmental remediation , bioplastic , creatures , environmental engineering , ecology , environmental chemistry , chemistry , biology , engineering , contamination , natural (archaeology) , paleontology
Aerobic methanotrophs are an intriguing group of microbes with the singular ability to consume methane as their sole source of carbon and energy. As such, methanotrophs are receiving increased attention to control methane emissions to limit future climate change. Methanotrophs have a wide range of other applications, including pollutant remediation and methane valorization (e.g. conversion of methane to protein, bioplastics, and biodiesel amongst other products). Methanotrophs also produce a novel copper-binding compound, methanobactin, that has significant potential for the treatment of copper-related human pathologies. Here we provide an overview of aerobic methanotrophy, describe current and future applications of these unique microbes, as well as discuss various strategies one can consider to better realize the opportunities these microbes present.