Core Viewpoint - The article discusses the successful development of a high-throughput screening system based on Surface-Enhanced Raman Spectroscopy (SERS) by Professor Wang Dan's team at Chongqing University, which allows for real-time, label-free analysis of bacterial metabolites within microdroplets, providing an efficient and sustainable technology for green biomanufacturing [2][4]. Group 1: High-Throughput Screening Platform - The RH-RMSS platform utilizes SERS technology to directly detect metabolite concentrations without the need for cell staining or labeling, processing 180 microdroplets per second, significantly faster than traditional methods [4]. - The platform successfully screened high-yield strains for various organic acids, achieving yields of 1.61 times, 1.52 times, and 1.81 times that of the original strains for succinic acid (SA), D-lactic acid (D-PLA), and acrylic acid (AA), respectively [4]. - The system reveals key enzyme mutation mechanisms and implements multi-level metabolic optimization, achieving a maximum succinic acid yield of 138.92 g/L using optimized strains [4]. Group 2: System Validation and Performance - The RH-RMSS system demonstrated high accuracy (>98%) and efficiency in screening, effectively enriching high-yield strains from a large pool of mutants [10]. - The system's ability to accurately quantify organic acids within individual microdroplets was validated, establishing its reliability as a high-throughput screening tool [8]. - The research successfully transitioned from microdroplet screening to large-scale fermentation verification, showcasing the engineered strains' capability to utilize non-food biomass as a carbon source for succinic acid production [15]. Group 3: Mechanistic Insights and Optimization Strategies - The D210G mutation was shown to enhance the catalytic efficiency of the phosphoenolpyruvate carboxylase (PEPC) enzyme, which is crucial for achieving high succinic acid yields [11]. - The study highlights the synergistic effects of neutralizing agent optimization, RBS sequence optimization, and adaptive evolution on improving succinic acid production [14]. - The RH-RMSS platform is presented as a versatile tool adaptable for screening high-yield strains for various organic acids and other metabolites with characteristic Raman signals [18].

Core Insights - Japan Catalyst announced the construction of a new superabsorbent polymer (SAP) plant in Cilegon, Indonesia, with a total investment of $110 million, which will have an annual production capacity of 50,000 tons once completed [1] - The new plant is expected to be completed by January 2027, increasing Japan Catalyst Group's total production capacity to 760,000 tons per year after the plant becomes operational [1] - This expansion is a response to the growing global demand for SAP, with Japan Catalyst already having production bases in major markets including Japan, the USA, Europe, China, and Indonesia [1] - In 2023, Japan Catalyst also launched a new acrylic acid (AA) plant in Cilegon with an annual capacity of 100,000 tons, which is a core raw material for SAP production [1] - The company aims to achieve full industry chain integration from acrylic acid to superabsorbent polymer, allowing it to efficiently meet the surging demand in the Asian market and leverage existing business synergies [1]