Beta-hydroxybutyrate Production via Biobased Fermentation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional beta-hydroxybutyrate (BHB) production methods rely on petrochemicals, resulting in products lacking biobased carbon content, which are not environmentally friendly and pose health risks, while existing methods are complex, costly, and have low yields.
Innovation Solution
Development of methods for producing BHB with 100% biobased carbon content through chemical synthesis and biosynthesis, including biological fermentation and bio-enzymatic processes, ensuring high purity, yield, and environmental sustainability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If conventional R-BHB is manufactured from petrochemicals, coal, and fossil sources, then production cost is low and abundance is high, but biobased carbon content is absent and environmental friendliness is poor
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the fundamental parameter of carbon source from fossil-based to biobased materials. By using fermentation processes with biobased feedstocks (such as sugars, starches, or other renewable resources), the product achieves 100% biobased carbon content while maintaining manufacturability through established biochemical pathways.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces conventional chemical synthesis methods (petrochemical routes) with biological fermentation processes. This substitution uses enzymatic catalysis and microbial metabolism instead of harsh chemical reagents and high-energy conditions, thereby achieving biobased carbon content while simplifying the manufacturing approach through nature's own chemical pathways.
2Productivity
If complex methods are used for preparing R-BHB, then manufacturing precision may be improved, but productivity decreases and yield remains low
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs chiral pool synthesis or stereoselective fermentation where the biological system itself (enzymes or microorganisms) inherently produces the desired R-enantiomer with high optical purity. The biological catalysts naturally discriminate between enantiomers, providing self-service stereocontrol without requiring complex additional purification or resolution steps, thereby achieving both high yield and high manufacturing precision simultaneously.
3Manufacturing precision
If expensive raw materials are used, then manufacturing precision can be improved, but productivity decreases and cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses inexpensive, readily available biobased feedstocks (such as agricultural byproducts, sugars, or starches) as raw materials. These cheap, renewable resources are converted through fermentation into high-purity R-BHB, achieving both cost-effectiveness and high chemical purity without requiring expensive starting materials. The process transforms low-value biomass into high-value chiral product efficiently.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The resulting BHB products are safer, healthier, and more environmentally friendly, suitable for dietary supplements and pharmaceuticals, with high chemical and optical purity, and can be widely used without harming human health or the environment.
Implementation Method 1
chemical synthesis and biosynthesis including biological fermentation
Implementation Method 2
biosynthesis including biological fermentation, and/or a bio-enzymatic method
Data Source
AI summary
Among others, the present invention provides for beta-hydroxybutyrate (e.g., R—BHB) acids and/or salts with pure biobased carbon content (e.g., 100% as measured by Carbon-14 analysis). The present invention also provides methods for preparing beta-hydroxybutyrate (e.g., R—BHB) acid and salt with pure biobased carbon content, comprising chemical synthesis and/or biosynthesis process. For instance, the method may include biological fermentation, and/or bioenzymatic process.