Aerobic Utilization of Hydrocarbons, Oils and Lipids

Abstract

The metabolism of fatty acids is of central importance to wide range of microbes, and the related metabolic pathways have been intensely studied for decades. Fatty acid degradation occurs through the well-characterized β-oxidation cycle and yields acetyl-coenzyme A (CoA), which is further metabolized to obtain energy and precursors for cellular biosynthesis. As demand for sustainable biofuels and bioplastics grows, there is ever-increasing interest in fatty acid flux and related genomic bacterial diversity, which is opening avenues to exciting new biotech-nological applications. In this chapter, we describe the steps involved in bacterial fatty acid degradation, with an emphasis on the latest advancements in the determination of enzymatic structures and characterization of novel fatty acid degradation enzymes. Finally, we briefly discuss the relevance of fatty acid degradation to several industrial applications.