Producing 'Plastic' Using Microorganisms

Overview of the Conversion Process of Plant Oils to Sebacic Acid Using Microbial Processes

[Asia Economy Reporter Hwang Junho] Domestic researchers have developed a technology to produce industrial plastics using microorganisms. It is expected that eco-friendly bioplastic factories replacing chemical plants that generate wastewater will emerge in South Korea in the future.

The Korea Research Institute of Bioscience and Biotechnology announced on the 13th that Dr. An Jung-oh's team at the Bio-Industrial Commercialization Support Center developed a technology to biologically mass-produce sebacic acid from plant oil raw materials.

Sebacic acid (HOOC-(CH2)8-COOH) is a substance used in various industries including plasticizers, lubricants, cosmetics, and plastics production. Currently, sebacic acid is produced by high-temperature pyrolysis of castor oil. However, this chemical process generates wastewater containing sodium sulfate, which can cause serious environmental pollution. In China, a major producer of sebacic acid, environmental laws have been implemented to reduce factory operating days of sebacic acid production plants as a way to address environmental issues.

Eco-friendly Production of Sebacic Acid

Diagram of microbial-based sebacic acid production, purification, and polymerization process

The research team succeeded in producing sebacic acid at the world’s highest level through a biological process.

The team succeeded in isolating and purifying sebacic acid produced via an eco-friendly microbial chemical process with high purity. In particular, by genetically modifying the microbial strain (yeast Candida tropicalis), they significantly enhanced the sebacic acid production capacity from fatty acid raw materials. Additionally, they optimized conditions involved in the cultivation process such as temperature, pH, dissolved oxygen levels, and raw material feeding rate. Through this, they produced sebacic acid at a concentration of 98.3 g/L, which is the world’s highest level, with top yield.

The team also synthesized sebacic acid into high-performance bio-nylon 610, which can be used for electrical insulators, precision parts, and filaments, through a polyamide polymerization process.

Participation of Lotte Chemical, Aekyung Emulsification, etc.

Isolation and purification of sebacic acid obtained through microbial cultivation.

The research team reproduced the sebacic acid production process established at the laboratory scale at pilot scale (50L fermenter). This increased the industrialization potential of the study. Companies such as Aekyung Emulsification Co., Ltd. and Lotte Chemical Co., Ltd. participated in this research. Currently, there are no plastic factories in South Korea equipped with biological processes at all.

Dr. An Jung-oh, the lead researcher of this study, said, "The achievement shows that the sebacic acid production process derived from renewable bioresources can replace existing chemical production methods," and added, "Moreover, the successful synthesis of sebacic acid into nylon 610 through collaboration with domestic companies is expected to be a good example of joint industry-academia research leading to strengthening the competitiveness of domestic bio-industrial technology."

This research was conducted with support from the Industrial Core Technology Development Project promoted by the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy. The research results were published on December 7 last year in 'Green Chemistry,' a journal published by the Royal Society of Chemistry in the UK.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.