Coenzyme Q10 Fermentation Yield via Dissolved Oxygen Feedback
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current fermentation methods for producing coenzyme Q10 on an industrial scale face challenges such as low yield, long fermentation cycles, and high costs, despite advancements in selecting high-yield microbial strains and using mutagenesis techniques.
Innovation Solution
A stepwise culturing method involving the addition of key promoting factors like vitamins, amino acids, and solanesol, combined with dissolved-oxygen feedback and fed-batch techniques in a fermentor, to optimize the growth conditions and metabolic pathways of microbial strains like Rhodobacter sphaeroides, enhancing coenzyme Q10 production.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If conventional fermentation methods are used for industrial-scale production, then production capacity is achieved, but yield remains low and fermentation cycle is long
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by conducting stepwise enlargement culture (from 50mL to 500mL to 2L to 10L) before industrial fermentation, and by pre-adding key promoting factors (vitamins, amino acids, solanesol, beta-carotene) to the fermentation medium. This preliminary optimization of culture conditions and strain adaptation enables the industrial fermentation to achieve high yield (3400 mg/L) within a reasonable cycle by preparing the microbial strain in advance under optimized conditions.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies parameter changes by systematically optimizing multiple fermentation parameters including dissolved oxygen concentration (maintained at 30-50% saturation), pH (controlled at 6.5-7.5), temperature (28-32°C), and agitation speed (200-500 rpm). The fed-batch fermentation method also dynamically adjusts glucose feeding rate based on dissolved oxygen feedback, changing operational parameters in real-time to maximize coenzyme Q10 production rate and extend the productive phase of fermentation.
2Productivity
If high-yield microbial strains are obtained through mutagenesis techniques, then strain productivity is improved, but fermentation cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies self-service by using readily available and inexpensive materials as key promoting factors, including vitamins (B1, B2, B6, B12, niacin, folic acid), amino acids (glycine, alanine, valine, leucine, isoleucine), and natural compounds (solanesol from soybean oil, beta-carotene from carrot powder). These low-cost additives enable the high-yield strain to achieve 3400 mg/L coenzyme Q10 production without requiring expensive proprietary supplements or complex medium compositions, thus maintaining cost-effectiveness.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies partial action by selectively adding only the essential key promoting factors that have the most significant impact on coenzyme Q10 production, rather than using complete commercial supplements. The fed-batch method also applies partial action by feeding glucose at controlled rates rather than providing all nutrients at once, extending the fermentation cycle to maximize product accumulation while avoiding excessive substrate addition that would increase cost and cause byproduct formation.
3Productivity
If dissolved oxygen feedback-fed batch culture technique is used, then coenzyme Q10 yield is enhanced, but process complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies feedback control by using dissolved oxygen concentration as the primary control variable to regulate glucose feeding rate during fed-batch fermentation. The dissolved oxygen sensor continuously monitors oxygen levels in the fermentation broth, and when dissolved oxygen rises above a setpoint (indicating low glucose consumption rate), the glucose feed pump automatically reduces or stops feeding. This simple feedback loop effectively maintains dissolved oxygen between 30-50% saturation, optimizing coenzyme Q10 production without requiring complex multi-variable control systems.
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 significantly increases coenzyme Q10 yield to 3400 mg/L or higher, reduces fermentation costs, and stabilizes the process, while controlling metabolic byproducts and extending product accumulation time.
Implementation Method 1
using dissolved-oxygen feedback and fed-batch technique, which includes starting to feed glucose when dissolved-oxygen value is sharply raised, and retaining a 5% dissolved-oxygen all the time during culture
Implementation Method 2
in the stage of culturing in a fermentor, using dissolved-oxygen feedback and fed-batch technique
Data Source
AI summary
A fermentation method for producing coenzyme Q10 is provided, including stepwisly culturing of microbial strains capable of producing coenzyme Q10, wherein key promoting factors are added in each stage of culture, and in the stage of culture in a fermentor, dissolved oxygen feedback-fed batch culture technique is adopted to realize the feedback regulation of the production of coenzyme Q10, so as to improve the yield of coenzyme Q10.