JOURNAL ARTICLE

The effect of Aspergillus luchuensis pectin methylesterase genes pmeA and pmeB on methanol production in sweet potato shochu.

  • Published In: Bioscience, Biotechnology & Biochemistry, 2023, v. 87, n. 7. P. 777 1 of 3

  • Database: Academic Search Ultimate 2 of 3

  • Authored By: Osamu Mizutani; Dararat Kakizono; Toru Takahashi; Nobuhiko Mukai; Hisashi Fukuda; Osamu Yamada 3 of 3

Abstract

The article investigates the role of pectin methylesterase (PME) genes pmeA, pmeB, and pmeC from the shochu-koji mold Aspergillus luchuensis in methanol production during sweet potato shochu fermentation. The study found that recombinant PmeA and PmeB enzymes exhibit methanol-producing activity using pectin as a substrate, with PmeA showing significantly higher specific activity. Gene disruption experiments revealed that deletion of pmeA, but not pmeB, led to a substantial reduction in methanol content in both koji extracts and small-scale sweet potato shochu fermentation, without affecting ethanol yield or major aroma compounds. These results indicate that the pmeA gene is primarily responsible for methanol production in sweet potato shochu, suggesting that targeting pmeA in A. luchuensis could reduce methanol levels in this traditional Japanese distilled liquor.

Additional Information

  • Source:Bioscience, Biotechnology & Biochemistry. 2023/07, Vol. 87, Issue 7, p777
  • Document Type:Article
  • Subject Area:Agriculture and Agribusiness
  • Publication Date:2023
  • ISSN:0916-8451
  • DOI:10.1093/bbb/zbad049
  • Accession Number:164742885
  • Copyright Statement:Copyright of Bioscience, Biotechnology & Biochemistry is the property of Oxford University Press / USA and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites without the copyright holder's express written permission. Additionally, content may not be used with any artificial intelligence tools or machine learning technologies. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

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