Fermentation Process for Controlling 2,3-BDO Production
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for microbial fermentation of gaseous substrates, such as carbon monoxide, often prioritize the production of ethanol over 2,3-butanediol, making it economically unsustainable to produce 2,3-butanediol from carbohydrate feedstocks, and there is a need to enhance the production of valuable products from industrial gaseous substrates in economically beneficial ways.
Innovation Solution
Increasing the concentration of vitamins B1, B5, and B7 in the liquid nutrient medium above the cellular requirements of acetogenic carboxydotrophic microorganisms to favor the production of pyruvate-derived products like 2,3-butanediol over acetyl-CoA derived products like ethanol, thereby adjusting the metabolite profile to increase 2,3-butanediol production.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If conventional fermentation methods are used with standard nutrient concentrations, then ethanol production is favored, but 2,3-butanediol production remains low and economically unsustainable
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by increasing the concentration of specific nutrients (vitamins B1, B5, and B7) in the liquid nutrient medium above standard cellular requirements. This specific parameter modification shifts the metabolic pathway preference from ethanol production to 2,3-butanediol production, achieving a production rate of at least 10 g/L per day and improving economic viability
2Productivity
If nutrient concentrations are increased to favor 2,3-butanediol production, then the ethanol:2,3-butanediol ratio improves from 4:1 to 1:1, but this requires modified fermentation conditions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent modifies fermentation parameters by increasing vitamin concentrations (B1, B5, B7) in the nutrient medium. This changes the metabolic behavior of acetogenic carboxydotrophic microorganisms, shifting product distribution toward 2,3-butanediol while maintaining simple fermentation operations without complex process modifications
3Productivity
If carbohydrate feedstocks are used for 2,3-butanediol production, then product can be made, but cost is influenced by human food and animal feed value making it economically unsustainable
Solution Approach 1:
The patent converts the economic disadvantage of using valuable carbohydrate feedstocks into a benefit by dramatically increasing 2,3-butanediol production efficiency. The enhanced productivity (≥10 g/L per day) and improved product ratio make even expensive feedstocks economically viable, turning a potential loss into a profitable process
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 the production rate of 2,3-butanediol to at least 10 g/L per day, altering the ethanol:2,3-butanediol ratio in favor of 2,3-butanediol, from 4:1 to 1:1, without affecting biomass density or CO uptake, thereby making the production more economically viable.
Implementation Method 1
microbial fermentation of gaseous substrates comprising CO
Data Source
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AI summary
A process for producing and controlling pyruvate derived products during the fermentation of a CO containing substrate by an acetogenic carboxydotrophic microorganism has been developed. The process involves increasing the concentration of at least one nutrient selected from the group consisting of vitamin B1, vitamin B5, vitamin B7 and mixtures thereof above the cellular requirement of the microorganism. When the concentration is increased, the production of 2,3-butanediol (2,3-BDO) increases whereas the production of the other metabolites is virtually unchanged. The effect is reversible so that when the concentration is decreased, the production of 2,3-BDO is also decreased. This allows one to control the ratio of ethanol: 2,3-BDO to a desired value which can vary from 4:1 to 1:2.