Kluyveromyces Marxianus Mutagenesis for Lactic Acid Fermentation

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Solution Overview

Problem

The existing technologies do not effectively utilize low-value biomass resources, such as corn steep liquor, due to the presence of lactic acid, which limits the application of Kluyveromyces marxianus, and there is a need for a strain that can tolerate and efficiently transform lactic acid into bacteria proteins to address the protein gap and environmental resource pressure.

Innovation Solution

A mutagenic strain of Kluyveromyces marxianus, designated as AMCC 31342, is developed with enhanced tolerance to lactic acid and low pH, allowing it to efficiently utilize corn steep liquor as a carbon source, increasing biomass and protein content by up to 30% and 25%, respectively.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If conventional Kluyveromyces marxianus is used for fermentation, then general protein production is achieved, but lactic acid tolerance is insufficient and resource utilization is limited

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvelactic acid toleranceVSAvoidprotein production efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies mutagenesis technology to induce genetic mutations in Kluyveromyces marxianus, changing the physiological parameters of the strain to enhance lactic acid tolerance. This allows the yeast to survive and thrive in high lactic acid environments (up to 10% v/v), thereby resolving the contradiction between adaptability and productivity by enabling efficient protein production in previously unusable substrates like corn steep liquor

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent transforms lactic acid, which was previously a harmful substance limiting fermentation applications, into a beneficial carbon source for the mutagenic Kluyveromyces marxianus strain. The modified yeast efficiently utilizes lactic acid to produce microbial proteins, converting the waste byproduct into valuable protein feed, thus resolving the contradiction by improving both tolerance and productivity simultaneously

Inventive Principle:
Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

2Quantity of substance

If lactic acid is present in fermentation medium, then substrate availability increases, but strain tolerance and transformation efficiency decrease

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesubstrate availabilityVSAvoidstrain tolerance
Core Design Contradiction:
Quantity of substanceVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

Through mutagenesis, the patent fundamentally changes the strain's physiological parameters including pH tolerance range and organic acid resistance. The modified Kluyveromyces marxianus can reliably tolerate lactic acid concentrations up to 10% v/v and maintain stable protein production, resolving the contradiction between substrate availability and strain reliability

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Quantity of substance

If traditional protein sources are used, then protein supply is maintained, but land and environmental resources are depleted

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveprotein supplyVSAvoidenvironmental pressure
Core Design Contradiction:
Quantity of substanceVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent converts waste biomass resources (corn steep liquor, agricultural residues) that were previously discarded into valuable protein sources through the action of lactic acid-tolerant Kluyveromyces marxianus. This approach maintains protein supply while eliminating environmental harm by preventing waste incineration and reducing pressure on arable land, thus resolving the contradiction between protein quantity and environmental impact

Inventive Principle:
Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

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

The mutagenic strain AMCC 31342 effectively transforms lactic acid into bacteria proteins, enhancing the value of corn industry resources, reducing environmental pressure, and addressing global protein requirements, with improved growth and utilization efficiency in low biomass environments.

Implementation Method 1

The fermentation microbial agent also includes bacterial solutions of Bacillus subtilis and Bacillus coagulans and is used for performing solid-state fermentation on a solid fermentation medium containing traditional Chinese medicine residues

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectFermentation: Fermentation

Data Source

PatentEP4692307A1Kluyveromyces marxianus and use thereof
Publication Date: 2026.02.11 ANGEL YEAST CO LTD
  • EP4692307A1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP4692307A1 patent drawingFigure 3
  • EP4692307A1 patent drawingFigure 4A~4B

AI summary

The present invention relates to the technical field of fermentation, and provides Kluyveromyces marxianus and a use thereof. The accession number of Kluyveromyces marxianus is CCTCC No: M2023217. The original strain has good lactic acid resistance and low pH value tolerance. The strain obtained by mutagenesis by using the original strain has organic acid resistance and low pH value tolerance. For example, the original strain can tolerate lactic acid having a concentration of 5.5 wt% and can grow under the condition that the pH value is 2, and particularly, the tolerance of the original strain to lactic acid having a concentration of 4.5 wt% to 5.5 wt% reaches 80%-90%. The original strain can effectively transform lactic acid into bacteria and bacteria proteins, has more efficient lactic acid utilization capacity in corn steep liquor fermentation, can increase the additional value of the corn industry, achieves high-value utilization of low biomass resources, reduces, as an alternative protein, the pressure on environmental resources caused by the traditional breeding industry, meets the protein requirements of global population and the field of feed, and achieves economic development and environmental protection of the fermentation industry.