Simulação da produção de ácido succínico por E. coli geneticamente modificada utilizando a metodologia de análise dFBA

Abstract

Succinic acid is a compound that stands out in the chemical industry due to its simplified structure, which allows its use in various sectors. Currently, it is obtained using fossil-based raw materials as the foundation of production. However, with the ongoing pursuit of reducing fossil resource consumption, biological routes have been increasingly studied, aiming for a more renewable and sustainable industry. This project aims to analyze, through simulations and using the methodology known as dynamic flux balance analysis (dFBA), the production of succinic acid using genetically modified Escherichia coli (E. coli) with glycerol as the substrate. This analysis was conducted using experimental data as a reference, with the Nelder-Mead algorithm as the primary optimization model. The objective function was the optimization of cell growth during the aerobic phase of the process and the production of succinic acid during the anaerobic phase. Alongside dFBA analysis, the flux balance analysis (FBA) methodology was also employed to assess the behavior of E. coli in different culture media. The results obtained deviated from those recorded experimentally in the reference study, exhibiting higher cell growth and lower succinic acid production, with shorter production times in both cases. This discrepancy between the simulated and experimental values indicates that dFBA analysis was not effective in accurately simulating laboratory processes. Therefore, further studies are necessary to determine the origin of these differences and to understand what adjustments could be made to improve the accuracy and reliability of the results.