| abstract |
The invention provides non-naturally occurring microbial organisms having a (2- hydroxy-3-methyl-4-oxobutoxy) phosphonate (2H3M40P) pathway, p-toluate pathway, and/or terephthalate pathway. The invention additionally provides methods of using such organisms to produce 2H3M40P, p-toluate or terephthalate. Also provided herein are processes for isolating bio-based aromatic carboxylic acid, in particular, p-toluic acid or terephthalic acid, from a culture medium, wherein the processes involve contacting the culture medium with sufficient carbon dioxide (C02) to lower the pH of the culture medium to produce a precipitate comprised of the aromatic carboxylic acid. |