Microalgae Processed Products for L-Amino Acid Fermentation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current methods for producing L-amino acids by fermentation using microorganisms rely on saccharides from higher plants as carbon sources, which are costly and inefficient, and do not effectively utilize microalgae-derived carbon sources due to complex processing requirements.

Innovation Solution

A method involving the use of a bacterium capable of producing L-amino acids cultured in a medium with processed products from microalgae, such as saccharification products of starches or hydrolysates of fats and oils, which are not completely purified, to enhance production and accumulation of L-amino acids.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If starches from microalgae are used as carbon source, then productivity is improved, but device complexity increases due to complex processing steps

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveL-amino acid production efficiencyVSAvoidprocessing steps complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts and utilizes specific components (starches and fats/oils) from microalgae as carbon sources for L-amino acid production, separating the useful elements from the complex microalgae structure through simplified processing steps

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the carbon source parameter from conventional saccharides to microalgae-derived starches and fats/oils, and modifies processing parameters to achieve effective utilization with fewer steps

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Manufacturing precision

If highly purified carbon sources are used, then manufacturing precision is improved, but loss of substance increases due to extensive purification

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecarbon source purityVSAvoidmaterial loss during processing
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSLoss of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies partial purification rather than complete purification of microalgae-derived carbon sources, achieving sufficient purity for fermentation while minimizing material loss through targeted processing steps

Inventive Principle:
Principle #16Partial or excessive action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent utilizes the natural composition of microalgae, which self-provides both starches and fats/oils as carbon sources, reducing the need for extensive external purification processes

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

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 increases L-amino acid production efficiency and reduces costs by simplifying the processing steps, improving growth rates and production yields, and utilizing microalgae-derived carbon sources effectively.

Implementation Method 1

L-amino acids are used in various applications, such as for use in seasonings, food additives, feed additives, chemicals, and drugs. L-amino acids such as L-threonine and L-lysine are industrially produced by fermentation of bacteria

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectFermentation: Fermentation

Implementation Method 2

a saccharification product obtained by subjecting starches from microalgae to a hydrolysis treatment with an enzyme

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectHydrolysis: Hydrolysis

Data Source

PatentUS8728772B2Method for producing an L-amino acid
Publication Date: 2014.05.20 AJINOMOTO CO INC

AI summary

An L-amino acid is produced by culturing a bacterium having an L-amino acid-producing ability in a medium containing a processed product of a microalga which promotes production and accumulation of the L-amino acid by the bacterium. The process product is produced by disrupting the culture of the microalga, and/or extracting the culture of the microalga, or fractionating the culture of the microalga or the disrupted culture. The processed product contains a mixture of organic substances produced by the microalga, a hydrolysate of the disrupted microalga culture, and/or an extract or fractionation product of the microalga culture. The processed product can also contain a saccarification product of starch or a hydrolysate of fats and oils. The bacterium is cultured to produce and accumulate the L-amino acid in culture, and the L-amino acid is collected from the culture.