Metabolomic characterization and temporal dynamics of Burkholderia cepacia for polyhydroxyalkanoates production from oleic acid

BACKGROUND: Polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHA) have become biodegradable alternatives for replacing chemical polymers. However, high production costs remain the primary obstacle to the commercial application of this bioprocess, prompting the use of metabolic engineering approaches to optimize PHA quality and increase productivity. OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to identify the endometabolome at different stages during a dynamic fermentation of Burkholderia cepaciausing oleic acid as the carbon source. METHODOLOGY: Untargeted metabolomic analysis was conducted using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) and liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC-MS) techniques. Univariate (UVA) and multivariate (MVA) statistical analyses were performed to determine significant differences between metabolomic profiles. RESULTS: A total of 24 significant metabolites were identified through GC-MS analysis and 223 through LC-MS, highlighting organic compounds and lipids associated with pathways such as ß-oxidation, the tricarboxylic acid cycle, and the pentose phosphate pathway. Acetyl-CoA emerged as a critical common intermediate in both central biosynthetic and PHA-producing pathways. CONCLUSION: Acetyl-CoA plays a fundamental role in the complex regulatory system activated by nutrient fluctuations in the culture medium, suggesting that the microorganism undergoes metabolic reorganization to optimize carbon source utilization for cellular maintenance.