Solid Phase Fermentation for Coenzyme Q10 Seed Culture

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current methods for producing coenzyme Q10 through fermentation using stock culture are limited by the complexity of seed incubation processes and productivity, particularly in liquid phase fermentation, which affects the efficiency and cost of industrial production.

Innovation Solution

A method utilizing Rhodobacter sphaeroides strain JDW-610 for solid phase fermentation, where a bacterial suspension is cultured in a slant medium with steam-cooked and dried solid components like bran, rice, and millet, enhancing seed culture productivity and stability, and simplifying the seed incubation process.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If liquid phase fermentation is used for stock culture preparation, then the fermentation process can be carried out continuously, but the seed incubation process becomes complex and productivity is limited

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveseed culture productivityVSAvoidseed incubation process complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the physical state parameter of the fermentation medium from liquid phase to solid phase. By using solid phase fermentation with specific solid substrates (corn, rice, wheat, etc.) and controlling moisture content (40-60%), the patent simplifies the seed incubation process while maintaining high productivity. The solid phase provides better structural support for bacterial growth and easier product recovery, eliminating the complexity of liquid phase seed incubation processes.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Reliability

If multiple passage cultures are performed to improve seed quality, then bacterial growth activity increases, but the fermentation period is extended and productivity decreases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveseed culture qualityVSAvoidfermentation productivity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary action by performing solid phase fermentation to prepare high-quality seed culture before the main fermentation process. The solid phase medium is pre-prepared with appropriate moisture content and substrate composition, allowing the bacterial strain to be pre-cultured under optimal conditions. This preliminary seed culture preparation ensures high bacterial growth activity and stable productivity while avoiding the need for multiple extended passage cultures, thus maintaining high fermentation productivity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

3Ease of manufacture

If traditional liquid phase seed culture is used, then the process can be automated, but production costs increase due to complex processing requirements

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveproduction costVSAvoidprocess automation level
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSExtent of automation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses inexpensive solid substrates (corn, rice, wheat, etc.) as the fermentation medium, replacing expensive liquid media and automated processing systems. These solid substrates are cheap, abundant, and require minimal processing - simply steaming and mixing with water to achieve appropriate moisture content. The solid phase culture allows for simple manual or semi-automated operations, significantly reducing production costs while maintaining ease of manufacture through straightforward processing steps.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

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 results in stronger bacterial growth activity, stable productivity, and reduced production costs, with improved coenzyme Q10 yields and simplified scheduling, making it suitable for middle-scale and large-scale fermentation.

Implementation Method 1

a method for producing coenzyme Q10 by fermentation using stock culture from solid phase fermentation

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectFermentation: Fermentation

Data Source

PatentUS8765421B2Method for producing coenzyme Q10 by fermentation using stock culture from solid phase fermentation
Publication Date: 2014.07.01 XIAMEN KINGDOMWAY GROUP

AI summary

A method for producing coenzyme Q10 by using stock culture from solid phase fermentation. The strain used in this method is Rhodobacter sphaeroides. Strain passaging is carried out by culturing in a slant medium. After steam cooking and air drying, solid medium is subpackaged and sterilized, wherein said solid medium includes solid components and liquid components. The fresh culture of Rhodobacter sphaeroides on the slant medium is added with sterile water, and the resultant bacterial suspension is added into the solid medium, cultured and used as stock culture for primary fermentation. The method of the present invention can enhance the fermentation level of coenzyme Q10, reduce the cascades of fermentation, shorten production cycle, simplify production processes, and lower production cost.