FURI | Fall 2024

Enhancing Cyanobacterial L-Alanine Production via Nutritional and Process Optimization

Cyanobacteria utilize CO2, light, and a nitrogen source to produce biochemicals. Genetic engineering can improve this, but nutritional and process conditions must also be optimized. This research aims to improve cyanobacterial production of L-Alanine, a proteinogenic amino acid and nutritional supplement. Through the testing of different nitrogen sources like Urea, Sodium Nitrate, and Ammonium Sulfate, the amount of L-Alanine produced can be maximized to create a more sustainable pathway for its production without the use of petrochemical derivatives.