Microbial Consortium for Oil Decomposition in Grease Traps

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Solution Overview

Problem

The decomposition of oils and fats in wastewater and grease traps is inefficient due to the accumulation of fatty acids, which are not effectively consumed by microorganisms with high triacylglycerol hydrolysis ability, leading to decreased decomposition efficiency and increased maintenance costs.

Innovation Solution

A combination of Yarrowia lipolytica strains that assimilate free fatty acids and Burkholderia arboris, which has high triacylglycerol hydrolysis ability, is used to promote the decomposition of oils and fats, with Candida cylindracea assimilating glycerol to prevent accumulation and enhance decomposition efficiency.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If a microorganism with high triacylglycerol hydrolysis ability is used, then the decomposition of oils and fats is promoted, but free fatty acids accumulate and decomposition efficiency decreases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedecomposition rate of oils and fatsVSAvoiddecomposition efficiency

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines two microorganisms with complementary functions: Burkholderia arboris for triacylglycerol hydrolysis and Yarrowia lipolytica for fatty acid assimilation. This dual-microorganism system resolves the contradiction by ensuring both rapid decomposition and continuous fatty acid consumption, preventing accumulation and maintaining sustained decomposition efficiency.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The system establishes a feedback mechanism where the accumulation of free fatty acids (product of hydrolysis) triggers increased assimilation activity by Yarrowia lipolytica. This feedback loop prevents the harmful accumulation that would otherwise inhibit further decomposition, maintaining system reliability while preserving high productivity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

2Productivity

If glycerol is removed by a microorganism with excellent glycerol assimilation property, then the hydrolysis reaction is promoted, but fatty acids accumulate and decomposition efficiency is lowered

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvehydrolysis velocityVSAvoiddecomposition efficiency

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges glycerol removal function (by Candida cylindracea or other glycerol-assimilating microorganisms) with fatty acid assimilation function (by Yarrowia lipolytica) in a multi-functional microbial system. This combination ensures that both hydrolysis products are simultaneously managed, maintaining both high hydrolysis velocity and sustained decomposition efficiency.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Ease of operation

If a single microorganism is used for oil decomposition, then the system is simple to operate, but decomposition efficiency decreases under harsh conditions and high concentrations

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesystem simplicityVSAvoiddecomposition efficiency

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent creates a composite microbial system combining multiple species with specialized functions. Burkholderia arboris handles triacylglycerol breakdown, Yarrowia lipolytica manages fatty acid assimilation, and optional glycerol-assimilating microorganisms handle glycerol removal. This composite approach maintains operational simplicity while dramatically improving decomposition efficiency under harsh conditions and high oil concentrations.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

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 combination significantly improves the decomposition and removal of oils and fats, especially under harsh conditions and high concentrations, effectively addressing the inefficiencies in existing technologies and reducing maintenance costs.

Implementation Method 1

Yarrowia lipolytica that assimilates free fatty acids

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectBiological assimilation: Absorption (physical)

Implementation Method 2

triacylglycerol hydrolysis ability

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectHydrolysis: Hydrolysis

Implementation Method 3

secretes lipase, triacylglycerol hydrolase

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectEnzymatic reaction: Enzyme

Implementation Method 4

Candida cylindracea assimilating glycerol

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectBiological assimilation: Absorption (physical)

Data Source

PatentEP2816015B1Yarrowia lipolytica strain, an oil decomposition agent and oil decomposition/removal method using said strain

Publication Date: 2019.03.27 NISSAN CHEM CORP

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AI summary

The present invention addresses the problem of providing a new microorganism that is useful for efficiently decomposing oils and fats, and a use for said microorganism. According to screening results, a new Yarrowia lipolytica having a high capacity to assimilate free fatty acids was successfully obtained. Efficient decomposition of oils and fats is achieved by causing the Yarrowia lipolytica to act under conditions in which fatty acids that are hydrolysis products of oils or fats are present, or under conditions in which oils or fats are decomposed into fatty acids and glycerol.