Ufz-umweltforschungs Zentrum Leipzig-halle Gmbh

Helmholtz-zentrum Fur Umweltforschung Gmbh-ufz

Roland Arno Müller

Dirk Schumann

Andreas Aurich

Mi-Yong Becker

Norbert Kohlheb

Mi-Young Becker

The aim of the invention is to provide a method for biotechnological production of carboxylic acids, in which the acid-forming micro-organisms are cultured in an unsterile manner in a submerged phase containing waste water containing all carbon and nutrient medium components necessary for the production of the carboxylic acid, which method avoids the disadvantages of known methods and enables high product concentrations and productivity while at the same time the resources of water and power are being conserved. This aim is achieved, according to the invention, in that micro-organisms are used that are cultured under unsterile conditions in a culture medium containing waste water with the addition of carbon-rich compounds.

Method for the production of carboxylic acids under unsterile conditions

The invention relates to an enzymatic-chemical method for obtaining polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHA), especially polyhydroxybutyrate (PHB), or the copolymers thereof, from biomass. The inventive method comprises chemically treating the biomass with a reducing agent that reduces the non-PHA cell components of the biomass. The chemical treatment is carried out before and/or after enzymatic cell disruption. The inventive method allows, unlike other cell disruption techniques, for obtaining polyhydroxyalkanoates from biomass with a relatively low PHA content (for example &#x3c;60%) without drastically changing or deteriorating the polymer properties or polymer purity.

Method for obtaining polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHA) and the copolymers thereof

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Markranstädt, Germany

Roland Arno Müller