Metabolic engineering enables Bacillus licheniformis to grow on the marine polysaccharide ulvan

Our data demonstrate the physiological capability of the industrially relevant bacterium B. licheniformis to grow on ulvan. We present a metabolic engineering strategy to enable ulvan-based biorefinery processes using this bacterial cell factory. With this study, we provide a stepping stone for the development of future bioprocesses with Bacillus using the abundant marine renewable carbon source ulvan.