Acid-Resistant Yeast Cells for Lactate Production

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing microorganisms lack acid resistance, leading to decreased activity and potential death when exposed to acidic conditions, which limits their application in industries that utilize organic acids like lactate.

Innovation Solution

Genetically modified Saccharomyces cerevisiae cells are developed through mutagen treatment and selection to confer acid resistance at pH levels of 2.0 to 5.0, enhancing their growth rate, metabolic activity, and lactate production in acidic environments.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If conventional microorganisms are used in acidic conditions, then they can perform basic metabolic functions, but they lose activity and die due to lack of acid resistance

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveacid resistanceVSAvoidcell death in acidic environment

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies parameter changes by modifying the physiological state of yeast cells through adaptation to acidic environments (pH 2.0-5.0). The yeast cells undergo parameter changes in their membrane composition, enzyme systems, and intracellular pH regulation mechanisms, enabling them to maintain viability and metabolic activity in acidic conditions where conventional microorganisms would die

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Productivity

If organic acid concentration is increased to improve productivity, then lactate production increases, but the acidic environment becomes more harmful to cell survival

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvelactate productionVSAvoidacidic environment damage

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent converts the harmful acidic environment into a beneficial factor for productivity. The acid-resistant yeast cells are designed to thrive in acidic conditions (pH 2.0-5.0) that would normally be harmful, allowing high lactate production to occur simultaneously with high cell viability. The acid environment that would normally kill conventional microorganisms is transformed into a condition that selects for and enhances the productivity of acid-resistant strains

Inventive Principle:

Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

3Adaptability or versatility

If conventional yeast cells are used, then they can be easily cultured, but they lack the ability to maintain growth and lactate production in acidic conditions

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveacid environment toleranceVSAvoidgrowth rate in acidic condition

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary action by pre-adapting yeast cells to acidic conditions through controlled cultivation in progressively acidic media before deployment. The cells undergo preliminary selection and adaptation processes that equip them with acid resistance mechanisms, including enhanced proton pumps, modified membrane composition, and acid-stable enzyme systems, enabling them to subsequently thrive in acidic production environments

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentUS9617570B2Acid resistant yeast cell and use thereof

Publication Date: 2017.04.11 SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO LTD

AI summary

Saccharomyces cerevisiae having acid resistance at a pH of about 2.0 to about 5.0, a method of preparing the Saccharomyces cerevisiae, and a method of producing lactate.