Method of using basidiomycetous yeasts to convert carbohydrates to glycolipid biosurfactants.
Sophorolipids are non-petroleum based biodegradable glycolipid biosurfactants used in household and industrial cleaners, as well as in agricultural pest control products. These molecules have surfactant activity because they consist of a hydrophobic fatty acid conjugated to a hydrophilic disaccharide. Currently, commercial production of sophorolipids involves an ascomycetous yeast, Starmerella bombicola, grown on a combination of sugar plus a hydrophobic substrate usually composed of glucose plus vegetable oil or purified oleic acid.
Researchers at the University of California, Davis have discovered a novel yeast species that is capable of synthesizing and secreting sophorolipids when grown on sugar alone, rather than on a sugar and oil combination. This allows for a solvent-free, more economical harvesting and purification of the product. This invention overcomes the three major obstacles of current production methods: the expenses of harvesting the cells from the media, lysing the cells, and extracting the oil using organic solvents. The yeast discovered by the UC Davis researchers secretes the desired oils extracellularly, allowing for the recovery of the oil without the need to lyse the cells. Harvesting the oil without the use of organic solvents makes the process significantly less costly and more environmentally friendly.
Country | Type | Number | Dated | Case |
United States Of America | Issued Patent | 10,196,663 | 02/05/2019 | 2014-225 |
biosurfactants, sophorolipids, yeasts, oils, glycolipids, cleaners, pest control, detergents, cosmetics, petroleum, dispersant, wetting agent, emulsifier, emollient, humectant, instantizer, lubricant, release agent, biocontrol agent, viscosity modifier