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Biocatalysis development

This project evaluates biocatalytic and when necessary even other routes for the synthesis of epoxides, acrylates, branched fatty acids, alkyl glycosides, and modification of lignin. These studies are done on small scale and when the feasibility of the reaction has been established, the reaction is performed in a larger volume to provide the product to the industrial partner(s) for evaluation. In case the product does not meet the test requirements, an alternative candidate is proposed (by the industry). If and when the right product is obtained, more work may be necessary to determine environmentally benign conditions for the process, biodegradability of the product, and to optimize productivity before transferring the data to the Process Technology project.

Synthesis of epoxides is mainly studied using monooxygenase and epoxide hydrolase, which are obtained from Project 2 and also from commercial sources. Monooxygenase catalysed reaction is done using whole microbial cells and later an isolated system with cofactor regeneration may be studied.

Acrylation of polyesters is done according to the lipase catalysed esterification reaction being studied in Phase 1, while that of epoxidized oleochemicals by ring opening followed by chemical coupling with acrylate.

The synthesis of branched fatty acids is done using different reactions. One of the methods that has already been developed during Phase 1 uses fatty epoxides as raw material for alcoholysis catalysed by an ion exchanger. Some alternatives will be considered including branching directly on the unsaturated fatty acids.

Enzymatic routes for alkyl glycoside synthesis are developed using glycosidases obtained from Project 2, combined with commercial sources.

Project leaders: Patrick Adlercreutz and Rajni Hatti-Kaul