Engineered Cyanobacteria for Carbon-Based Phosphatidylethanolamine Production

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Cyanobacteria lack the ability to convert a carbon source into serine, limiting their application in producing phosphatidylethanolamine, a crucial phospholipid used in dietary supplements, and conventional methods rely on scarce soy lecithin extraction.

Innovation Solution

Cultivate modified cyanobacteria with specific gene sequences (SEQ ID NO: 1, SEQ ID NO: 2, and SEQ ID NO: 3) to convert carbon sources into serine, then mix with lecithin and phospholipase to produce phosphatidylethanolamine through photo-fermentation, filtration, and oil-water separation processes.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If conventional extraction and purification of lecithins from soybeans is used to obtain phosphatidylethanolamine, then the phosphatidylethanolamine can be obtained, but the sources are rare and the production efficiency is low due to only 0.5% to 3% phosphatidylethanolamine content in soy lecithin

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveproduction efficiency of phosphatidylethanolamineVSAvoidphosphatidylethanolamine content in soy lecithin

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses cyanobacteria to self-produce phosphatidylethanolamine through metabolic engineering. The modified cyanobacteria express heterologous genes (phosphatidylethanolamine transferase and phospholipase D) to synthesize phosphatidylethanolamine de novo from carbon sources, eliminating the need for extraction from soy lecithin and achieving high-yield production.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the production parameters by switching from plant-based extraction to microorganism-based synthesis. By modifying cyanobacteria metabolic pathways and introducing specific genes, the system transforms carbon sources directly into phosphatidylethanolamine, fundamentally changing the production method and achieving higher productivity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Adaptability or versatility

If cyanobacteria are used for production, then they can synthesize required nutrients by photosynthesis and fix carbon dioxide, but they lack the ability to convert carbon source into serine which is needed for phosphatidylethanolamine production

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveability to use carbon sourcesVSAvoidability to produce serine

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the phosphatidylethanolamine biosynthesis pathway into two parts: cyanobacteria produce serine from carbon sources through metabolic engineering, and then phosphatidylethanolamine is synthesized from serine and phosphatidylcholine. This segmentation allows cyanobacteria to focus on serine production while the final assembly step completes the phosphatidylethanolamine synthesis.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent uses serine as an intermediary substance. Cyanobacteria first convert carbon sources into serine through engineered metabolic pathways, and then serine serves as the substrate for phosphatidylethanolamine synthesis. This intermediary approach bridges the gap between cyanobacteria's carbon fixation capability and phosphatidylethanolamine production.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

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

Enhances the production of phosphatidylethanolamine using carbon sources, providing a sustainable and cost-effective method while utilizing industrial waste gases, and improving economic benefits through waste gas treatment.

Implementation Method 1

undergoing a photo-fermentation process, in which the carbon source is provided to the modified cyanobacteria, so that the modified cyanobacteria convert the carbon source into serine

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPhoto-fermentation: Fermentation

Implementation Method 2

undergoing a filtration process, in which the liquid medium is filtered for separating the modified cyanobacteria

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectFiltration: Filter (physical)

Implementation Method 3

undergoing an oil-water separation process, in which the phosphatidylethanolamine mixture is placed in an oil water separator and left to rest for a predetermined period of time, and the phosphatidylethanolamine is obtained from an upper layer of the phosphatidylethanolamine mixture

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectOil-water separation: Density Gradient

Data Source

PatentUS20250215466A1Method for producing phosphatidylethanolamine with use of carbon source

Publication Date: 2025.07.03 NANYA PLASTICS CORP

AI summary

A method for producing phosphatidylethanolamine with use of a carbon source includes: cultivating modified cyanobacteria, in which the modified cyanobacteria are cultivated in a liquid medium; undergoing a photo-fermentation process, in which the carbon source is provided to the modified cyanobacteria, so that the modified cyanobacteria convert the carbon source into serine; undergoing a filtration process, in which the liquid medium is filtered for separating the modified cyanobacteria, so as to obtain the filtered liquid medium; synthesizing the phosphatidylethanolamine, in which the filtered liquid medium and the serine are mixed with a lecithin and a phospholipase in a photoreactor, so as to obtain a phosphatidylethanolamine mixture; and undergoing an oil-water separation process, in which the phosphatidylethanolamine mixture is placed in an oil water separator and left to rest for a predetermined period of time, and the phosphatidylethanolamine is obtained from an upper layer of the phosphatidylethanolamine mixture.