Microorganism Modification for Polymer Production
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for producing biodegradable polymers from biomass resources face challenges such as impurities like aromatic carboxylic acids causing coloration in polymers, which are difficult to separate and result in low-quality polymers, and require costly purification processes.
Innovation Solution
A microorganism is modified to reduce the production of aromatic carboxylic acids, such as protocatechuic acid, by disrupting or modifying genes related to DAHP synthase, dehydroquinate synthase, and dehydroshikimate dehydratase activities, allowing it to produce a purified organic acid that minimizes polymer coloration when used as a starting material.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If conventional fermentation methods are used to produce dicarboxylic acid from biomass, then production cost is reduced, but impurities such as aromatic carboxylic acids cause polymer coloration
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by genetically modifying the microorganism before fermentation to prevent the formation of aromatic carboxylic acid impurities. Specifically, the microorganism is engineered to lack aromatic amino acid synthesis pathways, so that during the fermentation process to produce dicarboxylic acid, aromatic impurities are not generated in the first place, thereby avoiding polymer coloration without requiring additional purification steps
Solution Approach 2:
The patent converts the potential harm of aromatic carboxylic acid impurities into a benefit by designing a microorganism that naturally prevents their formation. The genetic modification creates a strain that is incapable of producing aromatic impurities, thus transforming what would be a harmful byproduct into a beneficial feature of the production system
2Manufacturing precision
If purification processes are applied to remove impurities from dicarboxylic acid, then polymer quality is improved, but production cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent eliminates the need for purification processes by performing preliminary action through genetic modification of the microorganism. The modified strain produces dicarboxylic acid without aromatic carboxylic acid impurities, so the product is inherently suitable for polymer production without requiring costly purification steps like ion-exchange resin or electrodialysis
Solution Approach 2:
The patent takes out the problematic aromatic carboxylic acid synthesis pathways from the microorganism through genetic modification. By removing these pathways, the harmful impurities are extracted from the production system at the source, eliminating the need for subsequent extraction or purification operations
3Quantity of substance
If ion-exchange resin or electrodialysis is used to purify dicarboxylic acid, then impurity removal is improved, but polymer coloration still occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by preventing aromatic carboxylic acid formation at the source through genetic modification. Since the impurities are never produced in the first place, subsequent purification methods like ion-exchange resin or electrodialysis become unnecessary, and polymer coloration is avoided
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 approach simplifies the purification process, reduces production costs, and results in high-quality polymers with less coloration, addressing environmental and fossil fuel resource depletion concerns.
Implementation Method 1
a method of producing an organic acid, comprising the step of allowing a microorganism or a treated cell thereof to act on an organic raw material
Data Source
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AI summary
The present invention provides a method of producing a polymer, which comprises the step of performing a polymerization reaction using, as a starting material, an organic acid obtained by allowing a microorganism or a treated cell thereof to act on an organic raw material, wherein said microorganism has an ability to produce an organic acid and has been modified so as to produce less aromatic carboxylic acid as compared to an unmodified strain.