An Overview on Methanotrophs and the Role of Methylosinus trichosporium OB3b for Biotechnological Applications

Rising greenhouse gas concentrations in the atmosphere are having deleterious effects on biotic and abiotic systems, causing serious global concerns. Bioprocess technology is able to utilize these gases to manufacture high-value products and provide an excellent alternative to currently expensive conventional carbon sources in use. Methanotrophs are ubiquitous and utilize reduced carbon substrates without C-C bonds, such as methane, methanol, methylamine, and formaldehyde. Notably, methanotrophs produce single-cell proteins, polyhydroxyalkanoates, methanol, and exopolysaccharides, using a unique metabolic pathway during their growth process. Many industries have developed copyright-protected bioprocesses to utilize methane through methanotrophic pathways and manufacture high-value products. Among methanotrophs, Methylosinus trichosporium OB3b is one of the most important methane oxidizing bacteria; it has been studied extensively to identify potential applications including methanol and biopolymer production, and the bioremediation of environmental contaminants. This paper summarizes the characteristics and versatile role of methanotrophs and Methylosinus trichosporium OB3b. In addition, commercially established biological conversions of methane were constituted.