Heparosan biosynthesis in recombinant Bacillus megaterium: Influence of N‐acetylglucosamine supplementation and kinetic modeling

Abstract Heparosan, an unsulfated polysaccharide, plays a pivotal role as a primary precursor in the biosynthesis of heparin—an influential anticoagulant with diverse therapeutic applications. To enhance heparosan production, the utilization of metabolic engineering in nonpathogenic microbial strains is emerging as a secure and promising strategy. In the investigation of heparosan production by recombinant Bacillus megaterium , a kinetic modeling approach was employed to explore the impact of initial substrate concentration and the supplementation of precursor sugars. The adapted logistic model was utilized to thoroughly analyze three vital parameters: the B. megaterium growth dynamics, sucrose utilization, and heparosan formation. It was noted that at an initial sucrose concentration of 30 g L −1 ( S 1 ), it caused an inhibitory effect on both cell growth and substrate utilization. Intriguingly, the inclusion of N ‐acetylglucosamine ( S 2 ) resulted in a significant 1.6‐fold enhancement in heparosan concentration. In addressing the complexities of the dual substrate system involving S 1 and S 2 , a multi‐substrate kinetic models, specifically the double Andrew's model was employed. This approach not only delved into the intricacies of dual substrate kinetics but also effectively described the relationships among the primary state variables. Consequently, these models not only provide a nuanced understanding of the system's behavior but also serve as a roadmap for optimizing the design and management of the heparosan production method.