Mutant Microorganism Biosynthesis of High Molecular Weight Polylactate
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional methods for producing high molecular weight polylactate (PLA) and its copolymers are complex and inefficient, requiring solvents and chain coupling agents, and natural microorganisms have limited capability to produce these polymers effectively.
Innovation Solution
A mutant microorganism is genetically manipulated to increase the production of coenzyme A donors and lactate by inactivating or amplifying specific genes involved in metabolic pathways, enhancing the biosynthesis of PLA and its copolymers.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If direct polymerization of lactates is used to synthesize PLA, then the process is simple, but only low molecular weight PLA (1000 to 5000 daltons) can be produced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces lactide as an intermediary substance in the polymerization process. Instead of directly polymerizing lactates, the method first converts lactates to lactide, which then undergoes ring-opening condensation to form high molecular weight PLA. This intermediary step enables the production of high molecular weight polymers while maintaining process feasibility.
2Quantity of substance
If chain coupling agents are added to increase molecular weight of PLA, then higher molecular weight PLA can be produced, but the process becomes complicated and removing the agents is difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and eliminates the need for chain coupling agents from the polymerization process. By using lactide as an intermediary and employing ring-opening condensation, the method achieves high molecular weight PLA without requiring additional coupling agents, thereby simplifying the process and avoiding the difficulties of removing foreign substances.
3Ease of manufacture
If conventional microorganisms are used for PLA production, then the process is straightforward, but the capability to produce PLA and copolymers is low
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes to the microorganism's metabolic pathways by genetically manipulating gene expression levels. This alters the metabolic flux to increase the production of CoA donors and lactate, thereby enhancing the microorganism's capability to produce PLA and copolymers while maintaining ease of cultivation.
4Productivity
If gene manipulation is performed to increase CoA donor and lactate production, then productivity of PLA is improved, but the genetic manipulation process is complex
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses universal genetic manipulation techniques that can be applied to enhance multiple metabolic pathways simultaneously. By manipulating genes involved in CoA donor production and lactate metabolism, the method achieves multi-functional improvement in the microorganism's capability to produce both CoA donors and lactate, thereby enhancing overall PLA productivity through a unified approach.
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 enables effective biosynthesis of high molecular weight PLA and hydroxyalkanoate-lactate copolymers with increased lactate content, simplifying the production process and improving polymer properties.
Implementation Method 1
an enzyme converting metabolic products of the microorganism into a PHA monomer and a PHA synthase synthesizing a PHA polymer using the PHA monomer
Implementation Method 2
lactates produced by microbial fermentation
Data Source
AI summary
Provided is a method of preparing polylactate (PLA) or a copolymer thereof using a mutant microorganism in which a gene participating in a coenzyme A (CoA) donor- and lactate-producing pathway is genetically manipulated to increase the productivity of a CoA donor and lactate. Amounts of the CoA donor and the lactate are simultaneously increased in a microbial metabolic pathway to enable effective biosynthesis of PLA and a hydroxyalkanoate-lactate copolymer having a high content of lactate, which is industrially useful.