Clostridium Gas Fermentation for Endotoxin-Free Animal Feed
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Solution Overview
Problem
There is a need for additional animal feeds comprising microbial biomass from different strains and grown on various carbon sources, as existing sources like Methylophilus species are limited in their carbon source utilization and can produce endotoxins, making them problematic for use in animal feed.
Innovation Solution
The use of Gram-positive, acetogenic, carboxydotrophic, and anaerobic microorganisms from the genus Clostridium, such as Clostridium autoethanogenum, grown on gaseous substrates like CO, CO2, and H2, which are used to produce microbial biomass for animal feed, potentially avoiding the issues of endotoxin production and limited carbon source utilization.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If Gram-negative aerobic Methylophilus species are used for SCP production, then high growth rates and protein content are achieved, but endotoxin production occurs and carbon source utilization is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the fundamental parameters of the microorganism system by switching from Gram-negative aerobic Methylophilus species to Gram-positive anaerobic Clostridium species. This parameter change eliminates endotoxin production (a harmful factor inherent to Gram-negative bacteria) while maintaining high productivity through the anaerobic fermentation capabilities of Clostridium species that can achieve similar or superior growth rates on gaseous substrates.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs a single-use bioreactor system where the bioreactor is disposable and not sterilized between uses. This eliminates the need for complex sterilization procedures and reduces contamination risks, allowing for continuous production of safe, endotoxin-free animal feed while maintaining high productivity through rapid microbial growth cycles.
2Quantity of substance
If Methylophilus species are used for SCP production, then protein-rich feed is produced, but the range of usable carbon sources is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes the microbial production system universal by engineering Clostridium species to utilize multiple types of gaseous carbon sources including CO, CO2, and various synthetic gases. This multi-functional capability allows the same microbial platform to process diverse carbon sources from different industrial waste streams, thereby expanding adaptability while maintaining high protein content in the produced SCP.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the substrate parameters from liquid or solid carbon sources to gaseous carbon sources (CO, CO2, synthetic gases). This parameter change enables the use of diverse industrial gas streams as feedstocks, significantly expanding carbon source versatility while the microbial metabolism converts these gases into protein-rich biomass with high quantity and quality.
3Quantity of substance
If industrial waste gases are used as substrates, then production cost is reduced, but substrate composition varies and requires process adaptation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a dynamic production system where fermentation parameters (flow rate, pressure, temperature, gas composition ratios) can be adjusted in real-time to match variations in industrial waste gas composition. This dynamic adaptation allows the process to maintain stable protein production despite fluctuations in substrate composition, while continuing to use low-cost industrial gases as feedstocks.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs parameter changes in the fermentation process to accommodate varying substrate compositions. By adjusting operational parameters such as gas flow rates, partial pressures, and fermentation conditions, the system optimizes protein yield across different waste gas compositions, maintaining cost-effectiveness while compensating for substrate variability.
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 provides a protein-rich animal feed with enhanced nutritional content and safety by utilizing microorganisms that can thrive on diverse carbon sources, reducing dependence on traditional protein sources and minimizing endotoxin concerns.
Implementation Method 1
Gas fermentation for the production of protein or feed
Implementation Method 2
The microorganism may be Gram-positive, acetogenic, carboxydotrophic, and/or anaerobic
Data Source
AI summary
The invention provides animal feed comprising microbial biomass and methods of producing animal feed by culturing a microorganism to produce microbial biomass. In particular, the invention relates to animal feed produced by fermentation of a gaseous substrate comprising one or more of CO, CO2, and H2, especially by a Gram-positive, anaerobic, and/or Clostridium microorganism.