Tolerance response and metabolism of acetic acid by biodetoxification fungus Amorphotheca resinae ZN1

Removal of acetic acid from pretreated lignocellulose biomass is an important step for the consequent fermentation on production of cellulosic ethanol and biobased chemicals. This study elucidates the biological metabolism and tolerance response of acetic acid by a widely used biodetoxification fungus Amorphotheca resinae ZN1. Acetic acid is consumed as a prior substrate to glucose and xylose by A. resinae ZN1, and the consumption is highly accelerated by solid state culture. Acetic acid is metabolized through the tricarboxylic acid (TCA) cycle when glucose exists in the medium, while through the two cycles of both the TCA cycle and glyoxylate cycle when there is no sugar in the medium. The tolerance response of A. resinae ZN1 to acetic acid includes various biological processes such as activation of ions transport, increase in amino acids uptake and biosynthesis, as well as induction of ergosterol biosynthesis and ATP generation. The study provided important basis for the future biodetoxification strain modification for enhanced acetic acid removal.