Biotechnological synthesis of long‐chain dicarboxylic acids as building blocks for polymers

Abstract

An important field in sustainable industrial chemistry is the development of new applications for fats and oils. One of the promising applications is the use of fatty acid derivatives, e.g. dicarboxylic acid (DCA), as polymer building blocks. In contrast to conventional plastics, bioplastics are polymers derived from renewable biomass sources. In addition to their contribution to the conservation of fossil resources and reduction in CO2 emissions by waste incineration, many bioplastics are biodegradable. The majority of industrial DCA production for polyamide (PA) and polyester (PE) synthesis is still done via chemical synthesis. While short-chain DCA can be synthesized in high yields, costs of long-chain DCA production rise significantly due to the generation of various by-products and are connected mostly to a costly purification. Thus biotechnology provides novel biochemical approaches for long-chain DCA synthesis that can provide an eco-efficient process alternative . In the present article, strategies for the development of high-level production strains for long-chain DCA are illustrated. Basic strategies for strain development, in order to achieve an effective enrichment of DCA, require the knowledge of the respective biochemical pathways. These are discussed in detail. Furthermore an overview of fermentation strategies and characteristics of corresponding polymers is given

Combinatorial Engineering of Yarrowia lipolytica as a Promising Cell Biorefinery Platform for the de novo Production of Multi-Purpose Long Chain Dicarboxylic Acids

“…Adequate aeration, agittion, and control over pH play major roles in the P450-based LCDCA production. The inner pH of the cell, as well as aeration, both affect the induction of yeast CYP monooxygenase and CYP reductase [10]. Studies show that a higher dissolved oxygen (DO) level can remarkably improve P450 activity [99,100].…”

“…However, the provision of adequate agitation and oxygen transfer in larger fermenters will be challenging to maintain this minimum productivity. Our biological-based approach has several advantages over chemically-based approaches, including a broad range of renewable feedstock, milder process conditions, a more environmentally friendly process, and higher selectivity, particularly toward long chain unsaturated fatty acids [10,119].…”

“…These highly demanding monomers are used in manufacturing various high-performance polymeric compounds such as nylon and other polyamides. They have a wide scope of application in the industrial manufacture of automobiles, medicines, fragrances, adhesives, and macrolide antibiotics [10]. However, pharmaceutical applications exhibit the quickest growth in terms of revenue [120].…”

Fatty acid from the renewable sources: A promising feedstock for the production of biofuels and biobased chemicals

“…The strategies for industrial production of long chain dicarboxylic acids via metabolic engineering and bioprocess engineering are described (Huf et al, 2011). The preparation of high level DCA-producing strain mainly focused on the deletions of genes in β-oxidation pathway and overexpression of enzymes of ω-oxidation pathway ( Table 2).…”

Applications of Enzymes in Synthesis and Modification of Polymers

“…80 Poliesteramidas também podem ser sintetizadas via rota enzimática utilizando lipases, permitindo assim a obtenção de polímeros com elevada biodegradabilidade. 81 Na terceira abordagem estão as enzimas normalmente provenientes de extratos celulares, que catalisam a síntese de poliamidas e polipeptídeos. Existem poucos trabalhos com essa abordagem, e menos ainda aqueles que utilizam enzimas isoladas para esse fim.…”