Methylotroph

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Methylotrophs are a diverse group of microorganisms that can utilize reduced one-carbon compounds, such as methanol or methane, as the carbon source for their growth. Some methylotrophs can degrade the greenhouse gas methane. The methylotroph Methylococcus capsulatus is used to reduce methane and other pollutants. The abundance, purity, and low price of methanol compared to commonly used sugars make methylotrophs competent organisms for production of amino acids, vitamins, recombinant proteins, single-cell proteins, co-enzymes and cytochromes.

Examples of methylotrophs:

• Genus Methanosarcina
• Methylococcus capsulatus
• Pichia pastoris

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