Work Assignment BPE Antonio Moncayo v2
Work Assignment BPE Antonio Moncayo v2
Work Assignment BPE Antonio Moncayo v2
Introduction
In recent years, studies have been conducted on genetically modified bacteria and yeast
to produce terpenoids. These alternatives have shown relatively high production yields,
which has made it possible to obtain continuous production process (Wang et al, 2018).
Nevertheless, it is important to mention that both microorganisms need carbohydrates
sources to grow, which means there will be additional raw material costs.
Aim
In this thesis, the main objective is to assess two different approaches to improve the
efficiency of a continuous in-stream extraction of sclareol produced by genetically
modified microalgae Chlamydomonas reinhardtii (B4 strain) to achieve a technically
feasible scale-up process to a 10L photobioreactor.
Project description
The difference between both approaches is the material of the membrane that will
conform the extraction systems. In the first approach a Polyether-sulfone membrane
(PES) will be used, which has a hydrophilic affinity, and asymmetrical pore structure that
allows the water phase to flow through the pores, acting like capillaries. It is expected
that a direct contact between the liquid phase and the solvent allow diffusion of sclareol
from broth to dodecane. In the second approach Polytetrafluoroethylene membrane
(PTFE) will be used, which has a hydrophobic behaviour, that shows compatibility with
organic-based liquids. Because PTFE acts as a barrier to water flows, it is expected that
the low-pressure compounds fill the porous and diffuse directly into the dodecane.
Basically, in the two set-ups, the broth and the dodecane will be pumped through the
hollow fiber membrane during the day-light periods. The broth will return to the
Algaemist after crossing the membrane, the extraction solution (dodecane + sclareol) will
be stored in a different vessel for further analysis. The measurements considered for
these experiments is residence time and sclareol content after the extraction process.
Figure 1. Schematic set-up for the experiments
References
Camacho Morales, A.S. 2020. In-situ diterpenoid extraction from a GMO Chlamydomonas
reinhardtii. Wageningen university and research.
Caniard, Anne et al. 2012. “Discovery and Functional Characterization of Two Diterpene
Synthases for Sclareol Biosynthesis in Salvia Sclarea (L.) and Their Relevance for
Perfume Manufacture.” BMC Plant Biology 12: 1–13.
Dimas, Konstantinos et al. 2007. “Sclareol Induces Apoptosis in Human HCT116 Colon
Cancer Cells in Vitro and Suppression of HCT116 Tumor Growth in Immunodeficient
Mice.” Apoptosis 12(4): 685–94.
Khan, M. I., Shin, J. H., & Kim, J. D. (2018, March 5). The promising future of
microalgae: Current status, challenges, and optimization of a sustainable and
renewable industry for biofuels, feed, and other products. Microbial Cell Factories,
Vol. 17, p. 36. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12934-018-0879-x
Kovács, Marie. 2020. Towards a scalable, continuous in-situ diterpenoid extraction from
genetically modified C. reinhardtii. Wageningen University & Research.
Vieira, Sara. 2019. Continuous Manoyl Oxide production by a genetically modified strain
of C. reinhardtii. Wageningen Univerisity & Research.
Wang, C., Liwei, M., Park, J.-B., Jeong, S.-H., Wei, G., Wang, Y., & Kim, S.-W. (2018).
Microbial Platform for Terpenoid Production: Escherichia coli and Yeast. Frontiers in
Microbiology, 9(OCT), 12. https://doi.org/10.3389/fmicb.2018.02460