Biocatalyst Storage Stability via Concentration and Refrigeration
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Solution Overview
Problem
Biocatalysts used for converting acrylonitrile to acrylamide lose activity during storage, particularly due to harsh conditions such as excessive temperature or starvation, leading to reduced efficiency in the conversion process.
Innovation Solution
A method involving the concentration of an aqueous biocatalyst suspension to at least 3% (w/w) and reducing the temperature to below 8°C, followed by maintaining this temperature during storage, which eliminates the need for spray drying and enhances stability and retention of activity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If spray drying is used to store biocatalysts, then storage stability is improved, but biocatalyst activity is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The invention changes the storage parameters from spray-dried solid form to concentrated aqueous suspension form, and from ambient temperature to refrigerated temperature (below 8°C). This parameter change allows the biocatalyst to maintain high activity while achieving storage stability, resolving the contradiction between stability and activity.
2Ease of operation
If spray drying is used for biocatalyst storage, then storage convenience is improved, but process complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts the harmful spray drying step from the storage process and replaces it with simple concentration and refrigeration. This eliminates the need for complex spray drying equipment while maintaining storage effectiveness, thus reducing process complexity.
3Duration of action of stationary object
If biocatalyst is stored at high temperature, then storage duration is extended, but biocatalyst activity is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The invention performs preliminary concentration of the biocatalyst suspension before storage, creating a more stable formulation that can withstand refrigerated storage conditions. This preliminary preparation allows for extended storage duration at low temperatures without activity loss.
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
This method effectively maintains the biocatalyst's activity and stability, allowing for more cost-effective storage and prolonged usability without the drawbacks of spray drying, as demonstrated by the results showing sustained conversion rates over extended periods.
Implementation Method 1
the biological synthesis method (also known as bio-based method) employs biocatalysts to hydrate (i.e. to convert) acrylonitrile in order to obtain acrylamide... The enzyme nitrile hydratase is either iron- or cobalt-dependent (i.e. it possesses either an iron or a cobalt atom coordinated in its activity center) which is particularly characterized by its ability to catalyze conversion of acrylonitrile to obtain acrylamide by hydrating acrylonitrile
Implementation Method 2
reducing the temperature of the aqueous suspension comprising the biocatalyst to a temperature of below 8° C., thereby forming a concentrated aqueous suspension; and (c) maintaining the concentrated aqueous suspension of step (b) at a temperature of below 8° C.
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention relates to a method of storing a biocatalyst, which biocatalyst is capable of converting acrylonitrile to acrylamide, comprising the steps: (a) providing an aqueous suspension comprising the biocatalyst, which is capable of converting acrylonitrile to acrylamide, which aqueous suspension is an aqueous fermentation broth; (b) sequentially in either order or simultaneously (b) concentrating the aqueous suspension comprising the biocatalyst to a concentration of at least 3% (w/w); and (b2) reducing the temperature of the aqueous suspension comprising the biocatalyst to a temperature of below 8° C., thereby forming a concentrated aqueous suspension; and (c) maintaining the concentrated aqueous suspension of step (b) at a temperature of below 8° C. The invention also relates to a biocatalyst composition obtainable by this method and also the use of the biocatalyst composition in a process of preparing (meth-) acrylamide aqueous solution from (meth-) acrylonitrile. The invention further relates to a method for producing an aqueous (meth-) acrylamide solution comprising the aforementioned storage method and also to a method for producing polyacrylamide comprising the aforementioned storage method.