Clostridium saccharoperbutylacetonicum Fermentation Using Gamma-Cyclodextrin

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current bio-product production processes using Clostridium species are susceptible to contamination and have limited efficiency due to reliance on traditional starch-based substrates, with Clostridium saccharoperbutylacetonicum not effectively utilizing alpha-, beta-, or gamma-cyclodextrins as carbon sources, and facing issues with early sporulation that reduces bio-product production times.

Innovation Solution

Culturing Clostridium saccharoperbutylacetonicum cells in a medium with gamma-cyclodextrin as a primary carbon source, which allows for improved bio-product yields and reduced contamination, as well as utilizing sporulation-deficient mutants to delay sporulation and extend production times.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If traditional starch-based substrates are used for Clostridium fermentation, then the process is well-established and easy to operate, but contamination susceptibility increases and bio-product yield is limited

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvebio-product yieldVSAvoidcontamination resistance

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the carbon source parameter from traditional starch/glucose to gamma-cyclodextrin, which fundamentally alters the fermentation substrate. This parameter change enables both higher bio-product yields and improved contamination resistance, as gamma-cyclodextrin is not readily metabolized by common contaminating bacteria while being effectively utilized by Clostridium saccharoperbutylacetonicum

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces gamma-cyclodextrin as an intermediary substance that mediates between the desired high productivity and contamination resistance. This intermediary carbon source serves as a selective substrate that promotes Clostridium growth while inhibiting contaminating organisms, thereby resolving the contradiction between yield and reliability

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Adaptability or versatility

If alpha-, beta-, or gamma-cyclodextrins are used as carbon sources, then substrate diversity increases, but Clostridium saccharoperbutylacetonicum cannot effectively utilize these cyclodextrins

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesubstrate utilizationVSAvoidbio-product production efficiency

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies local quality by selecting a specific type of cyclodextrin (gamma-cyclodextrin) that matches the metabolic capabilities of Clostridium saccharoperbutylacetonicum. Rather than attempting to utilize all cyclodextrin types, the invention focuses on the specific gamma-form that the organism can effectively metabolize, thereby achieving both substrate versatility and high production efficiency

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

3Duration of action of moving object

If early sporulation occurs in Clostridium culture, then the natural life cycle progresses, but bio-product production time is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveproduction timeVSAvoidbio-product titer

Core Design Contradiction:

Duration of action of moving objectVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary action by using gamma-cyclodextrin to delay the onset of sporulation. The unique metabolic properties of gamma-cyclodextrin as a carbon source extend the vegetative growth phase and postpone entry into the sporulation phase, thereby preliminarily extending the productive window for bio-product synthesis before cells enter stationary phase

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

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 approach enhances bio-product titers and reduces contamination by leveraging gamma-cyclodextrin as a carbon source, while delaying sporulation in mutants to maintain longer production periods, thereby improving overall process efficiency and yield.

Implementation Method 1

The butanol fermentation process utilises renewable bio-based feedstocks and is often referred to as the ABE fermentation after its major chemical products (i.e. acetone, butanol and ethanol)

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectFermentation: Fermentation

Implementation Method 2

starch can also be converted into alternative substrates through the use of enzymes called cyclodextrin glucanotransferases (CGTases). These enzymes hydrolyse starch to cyclic products, i.e. cyclodextrins (CDs)

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectEnzymatic hydrolysis: Hydrolysis

Data Source

PatentUS11584914B2Processes for producing organic solvents using <i>Clostridium saccharoperbutylacetonicum</i>

Publication Date: 2023.02.21 GREEN BIOLOGICS LIMITED

AI summary

A process for culturing Clostridium saccharoperbutylacetonicum cells, which are capable of growing on gamma-cyclodextrin in a liquid culture medium in a culture vessel. Also disclosed is a process for producing a bio-product, the process comprising culturing Clostridium saccharoperbutylacetonicum cells, which are capable of growing on gamma-cyclodextrin in a liquid culture medium in a culture vessel.