Saccharomyces cerevisiae MBG4985 for Ethanol Fermentation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current ethanol production processes from starch-containing materials face inefficiencies due to limitations in yeast strains used, such as Saccharomyces cerevisiae, which require improvements in ethanol yield, temperature tolerance, and by-product reduction to meet increasing demand and process viability.
Innovation Solution
The use of Saccharomyces cerevisiae strain MBG4985 or its derivatives, which exhibit enhanced ethanol yield, reduced acetaldehyde production, increased temperature tolerance, and decreased glycerol production, along with specific alpha-amylases and glucoamylases, in processes involving liquefaction, saccharification, and fermentation steps.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If conventional Saccharomyces cerevisiae strains are used for ethanol fermentation, then the fermentation process can proceed with standard conditions, but the ethanol yield is limited and by-product production (acetaldehyde, glycerol) is higher
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by modifying the yeast strain's genetic parameters to achieve superior fermentation performance. Specifically, the engineered yeast strains possess altered metabolic parameters including enhanced ethanol tolerance, improved sugar utilization efficiency, and modified by-product formation rates, resulting in higher ethanol yields and reduced acetaldehyde and glycerol production compared to conventional strains
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs composite materials by creating hybrid yeast strains that combine desirable traits from different Saccharomyces cerevisiae strains. The engineered strains integrate multiple genetic characteristics including high ethanol tolerance, rapid fermentation capability, and low by-product formation, effectively combining multiple functional properties into a single optimized organism
2Reliability
If conventional yeast strains are used, then the fermentation process is simpler to operate, but the temperature tolerance is limited and process efficiency decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by engineering yeast strains with modified thermal tolerance parameters. The engineered strains exhibit enhanced ability to maintain fermentation activity at elevated temperatures (30-35°C), allowing the process to operate efficiently under broader temperature conditions without significant loss of productivity or increase in by-product formation
3Productivity
If existing yeast strains are used, then the current process can be maintained, but the ethanol production efficiency cannot meet increasing demand
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by developing yeast strains with enhanced metabolic parameters for sugar utilization. The engineered strains demonstrate improved capacity to convert fermentable sugars (glucose, fructose, sucrose, maltose) into ethanol, resulting in higher ethanol production rates and significantly reduced residual sugar levels in the fermented product
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 processes result in improved ethanol production efficiency, increased yield, and better process viability by utilizing Saccharomyces cerevisiae strain MBG4985 or its derivatives, which enhance ethanol yield and reduce by-products, thereby addressing the inefficiencies in existing ethanol production methods.
Implementation Method 1
liquefying the starch-containing material at a temperature above the initial gelatinization temperature using an alpha-amylase
Implementation Method 2
saccharifying using a glucoamylase
Implementation Method 3
fermenting using a fermenting organism wherein the fermenting organism is Saccharomyces cerevisiae strain MBG4985
Data Source
AI summary
Described herein are processes for producing ethanol from starch-containing material using a Saccharomyces cerevisiae strain MBG4985 (deposited under Accession No. NRRL Y67342 at the Agricultural Research Service Patent Culture Collection (NR-RL), Northern Regional Research Center, 1815 University Street, Peoria, Ill., USA) or a fermenting organism strain having properties that are about the same as that of the deposited Saccharomyces cerevisiae strain or a derivative of Saccharomyces cerevisiae strain MBG4985 (e.g., a recombinant derivative expressing an alpha-amylase and/or a glucoamylase) having the defining characteristics of strain Saccharomyces cerevisiae yeast MBG4985. Also described is Saccharomyces cerevisiae strain MBG4985 deposited under the Budapest Treaty and having accession No. NRRL Y67342 or a derivative of strain NRRL Y67342 which exhibits one or more properties or defining characteristics of strain Saccharomyces cerevisiae strain MBG4985. Also described are compositions comprising the Saccharomyces yeast and naturally occurring and/or non-naturally occurring components.