Can Pseudomonas putida KT2440 be a Sustainable Chassis for Free Fatty Acid Biosynthesis?

Abstract

Free fatty acids (FFA) are key precursors for biofuels, surfactants, and oleochemicals. While Escherichia coli has been extensively engineered to produce high FFA titers, Pseudomonas putida KT2440 is emerging as a sustainable alternative due to its superior stress tolerance, redox flexibility, and capacity to utilize diverse carbon sources, including lignin-derived aromatics. In this study, we explore the contrasting capabilities of E. coli and P. putida KT2440 as microbial chassis for FFA biosynthesis. Compared to traditional hosts like E. coli and Yarrowia lipolytica, P. putida offers moderate titers with superior feedstock flexibility, solvent tolerance, and reduced byproduct formation. Its innate ability to metabolize lignin-derived aromatics and resist toxic fermentation conditions enables cost-effective, waste-based production of oleochemicals. While titers remain lower than E. coli benchmarks, ongoing pathway, process and energy optimizations could close this gap. These findings support P. putida KT2440 as a promising, eco-efficient platform for renewable FFA biosynthesis.