Endophytic Yeast Strains for Pentose-Hexose Fermentation and Nitrogen Fixation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current methods for industrial production of bioethanol and xylitol face inefficiencies due to the limited ability of existing yeast strains to metabolize pentose and hexose sugars, particularly xylose, and rely on genetically modified organisms, which incur additional regulatory and economic burdens. Additionally, the use of chemically synthesized fertilizers for nitrogen fixation is environmentally and financially costly.

Innovation Solution

The development of novel endophytic yeast strains, such as Rhodotorula graminis strain WP1, Rhodotorula mucilaginosa strain PTD2, and Rhodotorula mucilaginosa strain PTD3, capable of metabolizing both pentose and hexose sugars, along with methods for their use in bioethanol and xylitol production, and nitrogen fixation, which do not require genetic modification or chemical fertilizers.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If genetically modified yeast strains are used to improve sugar metabolism capability, then productivity is improved, but device complexity and regulatory burdens increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesugar metabolism capabilityVSAvoidregulatory and economic burdens

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent utilizes endophytic yeast strains that naturally possess the capability to metabolize both pentose and hexose sugars without requiring genetic modification. The yeast strains self-service by inherently containing the necessary enzymatic pathways (xylose reductase, xylitol dehydrogenase, xylulokinase) to ferment mixed sugars, thereby avoiding the complexity and regulatory burdens associated with genetically modified organisms while maintaining high productivity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

2Productivity

If chemically synthesized fertilizers are used for nitrogen fixation, then productivity is improved, but object-affected harmful factors increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvenitrogen fixation efficiencyVSAvoidenvironmental impact

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the chemical mechanism of synthetic fertilizers with a biological mechanism by utilizing endophytic yeast strains capable of biological nitrogen fixation. These yeast strains naturally fix atmospheric nitrogen and deliver it to host plants, substituting the mechanical/chemical nitrogen fixation process with a biological one that is environmentally benign and eliminates the harmful effects associated with chemical fertilizer runoff and soil degradation

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Ease of manufacture

If existing yeast strains are used for fermentation, then ease of manufacture is maintained, but productivity deteriorates due to limited sugar metabolism

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefermentation process simplicityVSAvoidethanol and xylitol production efficiency

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the biological parameters of the yeast strain by utilizing endophytic yeast with naturally enhanced metabolic capabilities. These yeast strains possess optimized enzymatic parameters including xylose reductase, xylitol dehydrogenase, and xylulokinase activities that enable efficient fermentation of both pentose and hexose sugars. This parameter change in the yeast's metabolic profile allows simultaneous maintenance of process simplicity and significant improvement in ethanol and xylitol production efficiency

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

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

These yeast strains enable efficient fermentation of mixed sugars, reducing production costs and regulatory complexities, while also providing a biotechnological solution for nitrogen fixation that minimizes environmental impact.

Implementation Method 1

capable of metabolizing both pentose and hexose sugars, along with methods for their use in bioethanol and xylitol production

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectFermentation: Fermentation

Implementation Method 2

methods for biological nitrogen fixation

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectBiological nitrogen fixation:

Data Source

PatentUS9487451B2Endophytic yeast strains, methods for ethanol and xylitol production, methods for biological nitrogen fixation, and a genetic source for improvement of industrial strains

Publication Date: 2016.11.08 UNIVERSITY OF WASHINGTON THROUGH ITS CENTER FOR COMMERCIALIZATION

AI summary

The present invention provides novel endophytic yeast strains capable of metabolizing both pentose and hexose sugars. Methods of producing ethanol and xylitol using the novel endophytic yeast are provided herein. Also provided are methods of fixing nitrogen and fertilizing a crop using the novel endophytic yeast strains provided herein.