CA2005462A1 - Process for the synthesis of ethanol - Google Patents
Process for the synthesis of ethanolInfo
- Publication number
- CA2005462A1 CA2005462A1 CA 2005462 CA2005462A CA2005462A1 CA 2005462 A1 CA2005462 A1 CA 2005462A1 CA 2005462 CA2005462 CA 2005462 CA 2005462 A CA2005462 A CA 2005462A CA 2005462 A1 CA2005462 A1 CA 2005462A1
- Authority
- CA
- Canada
- Prior art keywords
- photosynthetic
- ethanol
- light
- bacteria
- carbon fixation
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Abandoned
Links
- LFQSCWFLJHTTHZ-UHFFFAOYSA-N Ethanol Chemical compound CCO LFQSCWFLJHTTHZ-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 title claims abstract description 137
- 238000000034 method Methods 0.000 title claims abstract description 48
- 238000003786 synthesis reaction Methods 0.000 title claims abstract description 13
- 230000015572 biosynthetic process Effects 0.000 title claims abstract description 12
- 230000000243 photosynthetic effect Effects 0.000 claims abstract description 28
- 244000005700 microbiome Species 0.000 claims abstract description 27
- OKTJSMMVPCPJKN-UHFFFAOYSA-N Carbon Chemical compound [C] OKTJSMMVPCPJKN-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 claims abstract description 23
- 229910052799 carbon Inorganic materials 0.000 claims abstract description 23
- 238000001727 in vivo Methods 0.000 claims abstract description 13
- XLYOFNOQVPJJNP-UHFFFAOYSA-N water Substances O XLYOFNOQVPJJNP-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 claims description 14
- 241000894006 Bacteria Species 0.000 claims description 13
- 108090000623 proteins and genes Proteins 0.000 claims description 10
- 150000001720 carbohydrates Chemical class 0.000 claims description 8
- 235000014633 carbohydrates Nutrition 0.000 claims description 8
- 241000195493 Cryptophyta Species 0.000 claims description 3
- 241000192700 Cyanobacteria Species 0.000 claims description 3
- 244000082204 Phyllostachys viridis Species 0.000 claims description 3
- 235000015334 Phyllostachys viridis Nutrition 0.000 claims description 3
- NINIDFKCEFEMDL-UHFFFAOYSA-N Sulfur Chemical compound [S] NINIDFKCEFEMDL-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 claims description 3
- 239000005864 Sulphur Substances 0.000 claims description 3
- 239000013612 plasmid Substances 0.000 claims description 3
- 241000235070 Saccharomyces Species 0.000 claims description 2
- FAPWRFPIFSIZLT-UHFFFAOYSA-M Sodium chloride Chemical compound [Na+].[Cl-] FAPWRFPIFSIZLT-UHFFFAOYSA-M 0.000 claims description 2
- 241000588902 Zymomonas mobilis Species 0.000 claims description 2
- 239000011780 sodium chloride Substances 0.000 claims description 2
- 230000009466 transformation Effects 0.000 claims description 2
- 238000010367 cloning Methods 0.000 claims 1
- 239000013505 freshwater Substances 0.000 claims 1
- 235000019441 ethanol Nutrition 0.000 description 40
- CURLTUGMZLYLDI-UHFFFAOYSA-N Carbon dioxide Chemical compound O=C=O CURLTUGMZLYLDI-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 8
- 240000008042 Zea mays Species 0.000 description 8
- 235000005824 Zea mays ssp. parviglumis Nutrition 0.000 description 8
- 235000002017 Zea mays subsp mays Nutrition 0.000 description 8
- 235000005822 corn Nutrition 0.000 description 8
- 240000004808 Saccharomyces cerevisiae Species 0.000 description 7
- 235000014680 Saccharomyces cerevisiae Nutrition 0.000 description 7
- 238000004519 manufacturing process Methods 0.000 description 6
- 102000007698 Alcohol dehydrogenase Human genes 0.000 description 4
- 108010021809 Alcohol dehydrogenase Proteins 0.000 description 4
- 108010011939 Pyruvate Decarboxylase Proteins 0.000 description 4
- 239000001569 carbon dioxide Substances 0.000 description 4
- 229910002092 carbon dioxide Inorganic materials 0.000 description 4
- LCTONWCANYUPML-UHFFFAOYSA-M Pyruvate Chemical compound CC(=O)C([O-])=O LCTONWCANYUPML-UHFFFAOYSA-M 0.000 description 3
- 241000209140 Triticum Species 0.000 description 3
- 235000021307 Triticum Nutrition 0.000 description 3
- 238000000855 fermentation Methods 0.000 description 3
- 230000004151 fermentation Effects 0.000 description 3
- 239000000446 fuel Substances 0.000 description 3
- 239000000758 substrate Substances 0.000 description 3
- 239000002699 waste material Substances 0.000 description 3
- IJGRMHOSHXDMSA-UHFFFAOYSA-N Atomic nitrogen Chemical compound N#N IJGRMHOSHXDMSA-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 2
- VGGSQFUCUMXWEO-UHFFFAOYSA-N Ethene Chemical compound C=C VGGSQFUCUMXWEO-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 2
- 239000005977 Ethylene Substances 0.000 description 2
- 230000004913 activation Effects 0.000 description 2
- 235000019804 chlorophyll Nutrition 0.000 description 2
- 238000004140 cleaning Methods 0.000 description 2
- 239000003337 fertilizer Substances 0.000 description 2
- 239000002816 fuel additive Substances 0.000 description 2
- 230000002068 genetic effect Effects 0.000 description 2
- 239000011159 matrix material Substances 0.000 description 2
- 239000000126 substance Substances 0.000 description 2
- 239000000725 suspension Substances 0.000 description 2
- 108020004414 DNA Proteins 0.000 description 1
- 241000196324 Embryophyta Species 0.000 description 1
- 108090000790 Enzymes Proteins 0.000 description 1
- 102000004190 Enzymes Human genes 0.000 description 1
- WQZGKKKJIJFFOK-GASJEMHNSA-N Glucose Natural products OC[C@H]1OC(O)[C@H](O)[C@@H](O)[C@@H]1O WQZGKKKJIJFFOK-GASJEMHNSA-N 0.000 description 1
- 235000008694 Humulus lupulus Nutrition 0.000 description 1
- 108020004511 Recombinant DNA Proteins 0.000 description 1
- NIXOWILDQLNWCW-UHFFFAOYSA-N acrylic acid group Chemical group C(C=C)(=O)O NIXOWILDQLNWCW-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 1
- 235000013405 beer Nutrition 0.000 description 1
- 235000008429 bread Nutrition 0.000 description 1
- 230000015556 catabolic process Effects 0.000 description 1
- 235000013339 cereals Nutrition 0.000 description 1
- 230000000295 complement effect Effects 0.000 description 1
- 238000010411 cooking Methods 0.000 description 1
- 239000002285 corn oil Substances 0.000 description 1
- 235000005687 corn oil Nutrition 0.000 description 1
- 238000006731 degradation reaction Methods 0.000 description 1
- 238000004821 distillation Methods 0.000 description 1
- 238000001035 drying Methods 0.000 description 1
- 238000011156 evaluation Methods 0.000 description 1
- 210000003608 fece Anatomy 0.000 description 1
- 239000012530 fluid Substances 0.000 description 1
- 239000006260 foam Substances 0.000 description 1
- 239000002803 fossil fuel Substances 0.000 description 1
- 238000010353 genetic engineering Methods 0.000 description 1
- 239000011521 glass Substances 0.000 description 1
- 239000008103 glucose Substances 0.000 description 1
- -1 hops Chemical class 0.000 description 1
- 238000000338 in vitro Methods 0.000 description 1
- 239000004615 ingredient Substances 0.000 description 1
- 229910052500 inorganic mineral Inorganic materials 0.000 description 1
- 238000003973 irrigation Methods 0.000 description 1
- 230000002262 irrigation Effects 0.000 description 1
- 239000010871 livestock manure Substances 0.000 description 1
- 230000002503 metabolic effect Effects 0.000 description 1
- VUZPPFZMUPKLLV-UHFFFAOYSA-N methane;hydrate Chemical compound C.O VUZPPFZMUPKLLV-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 1
- 239000011707 mineral Substances 0.000 description 1
- 229910052757 nitrogen Inorganic materials 0.000 description 1
- 230000029553 photosynthesis Effects 0.000 description 1
- 238000010672 photosynthesis Methods 0.000 description 1
- 239000004033 plastic Substances 0.000 description 1
- 229920003023 plastic Polymers 0.000 description 1
- 231100000614 poison Toxicity 0.000 description 1
- 230000007096 poisonous effect Effects 0.000 description 1
- 102000004169 proteins and genes Human genes 0.000 description 1
- 238000000926 separation method Methods 0.000 description 1
- 238000003860 storage Methods 0.000 description 1
- 231100000331 toxic Toxicity 0.000 description 1
- 230000002588 toxic effect Effects 0.000 description 1
- 235000014101 wine Nutrition 0.000 description 1
- 239000002023 wood Substances 0.000 description 1
Landscapes
- Preparation Of Compounds By Using Micro-Organisms (AREA)
- Micro-Organisms Or Cultivation Processes Thereof (AREA)
Abstract
ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE
This invention relates to a new process for the synthesis of ethanol. The process comprises directly generating ethanol through an in vivo combined system of photosynthetic carbon fixation and ethanol generation using genetically engineered photosynthetic microorganisms. The process removes the inefficiency and losses of the prior art systems.
This invention relates to a new process for the synthesis of ethanol. The process comprises directly generating ethanol through an in vivo combined system of photosynthetic carbon fixation and ethanol generation using genetically engineered photosynthetic microorganisms. The process removes the inefficiency and losses of the prior art systems.
Description
A NEW PROCESS FOR THE SYNT~ESIS OF ETHANOL
.:: ~:
1. Field of the Invention This invention relates generally to a new process for the synthesis of ethanol and more particularly :
to a new process for the synthesis of ethanol by using ~
genetically engineered photosynthetic microorganisms. ' . ..:
Much research has been conducted to find a process to economically produce a non-fossil fuel source. The present invention relates to such a process and the energy source is ethanol or ethyl alcohol.
'`,~ '' ' . ~
: . : .:
.' "~' :-' . ' -`; 2~5~fi ~
1 Ethanol is one of the most widely used chemicals in the world and has over two hundred and fifty uses. Two of its more important uses are as a source of ethylene which is used as a basis for the manufacture of plastics and aisi industrial fluids, fuel or a fuel additive. It is estimated that the industry producing ethanol as used for producing ethylene and as a fuel or fuel additive is worth one billion dollars in 1989 dollars.
Ethanol has been established as a superior fuel to gasoline and has been available for many years in a few countries where its production has been economically viable. Although it is virtually non-polluting, it has not achieved wide spread use due to its relatively high cost.
.:: ~:
1. Field of the Invention This invention relates generally to a new process for the synthesis of ethanol and more particularly :
to a new process for the synthesis of ethanol by using ~
genetically engineered photosynthetic microorganisms. ' . ..:
Much research has been conducted to find a process to economically produce a non-fossil fuel source. The present invention relates to such a process and the energy source is ethanol or ethyl alcohol.
'`,~ '' ' . ~
: . : .:
.' "~' :-' . ' -`; 2~5~fi ~
1 Ethanol is one of the most widely used chemicals in the world and has over two hundred and fifty uses. Two of its more important uses are as a source of ethylene which is used as a basis for the manufacture of plastics and aisi industrial fluids, fuel or a fuel additive. It is estimated that the industry producing ethanol as used for producing ethylene and as a fuel or fuel additive is worth one billion dollars in 1989 dollars.
Ethanol has been established as a superior fuel to gasoline and has been available for many years in a few countries where its production has been economically viable. Although it is virtually non-polluting, it has not achieved wide spread use due to its relatively high cost.
2. Description of the Prior Art Ethanol is today made by dif~erent processes.
One example of such process utilizes yeast or variations .. .. .
of yeast. Saccharomyces cerevisiae a naturally occuring yeast, ii5 mixed with a source of carbohydrate such as hops, wheat, wood chips or manure and then the circuit undergoes fermentation. In basic terms, the yeast has an innate ability to generate alcohol by the action of pyruvate decarboxylase (PDC) and alcohol dehydrogenase (ADH) uisiing externally supplied utilizable carbohydrates. This process which uses naturally occuring 2Q~I5~S2 1 substances is in wide spread use today and is used as a ;~
basis for the making of wines, beers, breads and the likeO The alternative method in use today is chemical synthesis.
The major drawback of the prior art process is the high cost. For example, when corn or wheat are used -as the glucose source, a major cost is the corn and wheat -;
itself, that is, growing the grain, transporting it, shredding it, cooking and drying it, and finally preparing the mash with yeast and its enzymes. Also, when corn is used, a residual corn oil which is a natural part of corn, is not converted into ethanol during the fermentation process and therefore must be separated out during ;~
distillation. This separation is a drawback as it is both ` ;
a costly and a dirty process. Thus, the apparatus experiences considerable down time for cleaning which ;
represents a substantial cost. It is estimated that .............................................................................. .... ,: ~ , ethanol, when made by this process, costs about one dollar (U.S.) to one dollar eighty cents (U.S.) per U.S. gallon.
Another high cost of the process is the inherent inefficiency of the system. The system of the prior art is not an integrated system and produces waste. For example, in analyzing the prior art system which uses ~
corn, the corn is first planted as a seed. It is then -provided with water, the sun and carbon dioxide, :
1 fertilized, grown and harvested. Large inputs of expensive nitrogen fertilizers are used to maximize production. When harvested, the usable part of the corn itself only represents 10~ stored product since the plant uses 90~ of its metabolic production for non-storage purposes, that is, growth. It is then put into the fermentative degradation as outlined hereinbefore.
Considering the number of times the process must be stopped for cleaning, the amount of input and the small percentage of output achieved which is reduced further by the inefficiency of the fermentation process, the process itself from planting to ethanol is not efficient rarely reaching levels of more than 6 to 9% of overall efficency. This consideration does not include such problems as crop growth, droughts, cost of fertilizers and irrigation which all may add tremendously to the cost of the corn.
One example of such process utilizes yeast or variations .. .. .
of yeast. Saccharomyces cerevisiae a naturally occuring yeast, ii5 mixed with a source of carbohydrate such as hops, wheat, wood chips or manure and then the circuit undergoes fermentation. In basic terms, the yeast has an innate ability to generate alcohol by the action of pyruvate decarboxylase (PDC) and alcohol dehydrogenase (ADH) uisiing externally supplied utilizable carbohydrates. This process which uses naturally occuring 2Q~I5~S2 1 substances is in wide spread use today and is used as a ;~
basis for the making of wines, beers, breads and the likeO The alternative method in use today is chemical synthesis.
The major drawback of the prior art process is the high cost. For example, when corn or wheat are used -as the glucose source, a major cost is the corn and wheat -;
itself, that is, growing the grain, transporting it, shredding it, cooking and drying it, and finally preparing the mash with yeast and its enzymes. Also, when corn is used, a residual corn oil which is a natural part of corn, is not converted into ethanol during the fermentation process and therefore must be separated out during ;~
distillation. This separation is a drawback as it is both ` ;
a costly and a dirty process. Thus, the apparatus experiences considerable down time for cleaning which ;
represents a substantial cost. It is estimated that .............................................................................. .... ,: ~ , ethanol, when made by this process, costs about one dollar (U.S.) to one dollar eighty cents (U.S.) per U.S. gallon.
Another high cost of the process is the inherent inefficiency of the system. The system of the prior art is not an integrated system and produces waste. For example, in analyzing the prior art system which uses ~
corn, the corn is first planted as a seed. It is then -provided with water, the sun and carbon dioxide, :
1 fertilized, grown and harvested. Large inputs of expensive nitrogen fertilizers are used to maximize production. When harvested, the usable part of the corn itself only represents 10~ stored product since the plant uses 90~ of its metabolic production for non-storage purposes, that is, growth. It is then put into the fermentative degradation as outlined hereinbefore.
Considering the number of times the process must be stopped for cleaning, the amount of input and the small percentage of output achieved which is reduced further by the inefficiency of the fermentation process, the process itself from planting to ethanol is not efficient rarely reaching levels of more than 6 to 9% of overall efficency. This consideration does not include such problems as crop growth, droughts, cost of fertilizers and irrigation which all may add tremendously to the cost of the corn.
3. Summar~ of the Invention Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide a process for the synthesis of ethanol which removes the inefficiency and losses of the prior art system and which uses an integrated process using genetically altered photosynthetic microorganisms to produce ethanol.
It is a further object of the present invention 2~0~a~S~ `
1 to provide a process for synthesis of ethanol which integrates the entire synthesis process as a continuous in vivo process producing little waste and high efficiency.
In summary therefore, by combining the innate photosynthetic capability of the microorganisms to ;
synthesize the appropriate substrate for the generation of ethanol, with the "non-innate" capability to synthesize -ethanol from the thus produced substrate, the inventor has invented a complete in vivo system of ethanol generation ; ;
from photosynthesis to ethanol production. This "non-innate" capability to synthesize ethanol from the produced substrate was added by in vitro genetic manipulation.
To this end, in one of its aspects, the ~;
invention provides a process for the synthesis of ethanol ~ :i which comprises an in vivo combined system of ;
photosynthetic carbon fixation and ethanol generation.
In another of its aspects, the invention further provides a process for the synthesis oE ethanol which comprises combining an in vivo system for photosynthetic carbon fixation, an inorganic carbon source, light, water, and a genetically added capability to ultimately generate ethanol directly from those carbohydrates produced from the in vivo photosynthetic carbon fixation system, inorganic carbon, light and water.
. -.
2~ 62 1 4. Description of the Preferred Embodiment The present invention uses five basic ingredients. These are an _n vivo system for photosynthetic carbon fixation (PCF), an inorganic carbon source, light and water and a genetically added capability to ultimately generate ethanol directly from those carbohydrates produced from the in vivo PCF~ inorganic carbon, light and water. The in vivo system for PCF is activated by light~ The light, consisting of photons of light, may be from the sun as natural occuring light or from lamps. The PCF system is preferably derived from one or more photosensitive microorganisms selected from the group consisting of cyanobacteria, eukayotic algae and photosynthetic bacteria. The photosynthetic bacteria may be green sulphur bacteria or purple sulphur bacteria. The characteristic eatures of all these microorganisms is that they will take in sun light, carbon dioxide and water and produce some form of utilizable carbohydrate. The inorganic carbon source is preferably carbon dioxide and the water may be fresh or saline water. The added genetic capability is accomplished by the addition of the genes required for synthesis of ethanol from pyruvate. These genes include PDC and ADH and are added to the genetic complement of the microorganism by recombinant DNA
techniques and express the required proteins. These genes 26)~5~
' ` ' :"'' 1 and theie promotors may be so designed as to allow control over the activation or non-activation of the ethanol generating capability. ~ ~;
In the simplest and basic process, the water and the photosynthetic microorganism, are placed in a `
container such as a clear acrylic cylinder and exposed to sunlight. Carbon dioxide is fed into the container and ethanol is synthesized. Minerals may be added to keep the microorganisms alive and do not affect the production or ~ ~;
quality of the ethanol removed from the side. In a typical process, after exposing the combined ethanol and photosynthetic carbon fixation system (CEPCFS) to sunlight for a period of about 24.3 hours, the effluent comprises 10~ ethanol and 90% water.
rrhere are essentially hundreds of microorganisms which can be used in the present process. Any ~.. "!"' ~.' microorganism which has the ability to generate photosynthetically derived carbohydrates may be used and ~ ~
it is possible to clone the ability to syntheslze ethanol ~ -directly into the microorganism if not present. For example, the genes for the process may be isolated from Saccharomyces cerevisciae (yeast) or Zymomonas mobilis tbacteria) and then mounted directly onto a vector plasmid for transformation of the photosynthetic microorganism.
The transformed microorganism now contains the genes which Z~5a~c62 1 will start expressing and producing the PDC and ADH which takes the pyruvate and produces ethanol. The genes may stay on the plasmid itself or may be incorporated directly into the host DNA.
Evaluation to date,, indicates that in one litre of dense suspension which contained up to 30mg chlorophyl/litre, when exposed to sunlight, it generated 80 to 120 micromoles of pyruvate/mg chlorophyl/hour. At 50% efficiency, the rate of ethanol generated is 1250 micromoles of ethanol/litre/hour.
There are tolerences to the system. The produced ethanol is toxic to the microorganisms although some microorganisms can tolerate ethanol better than others. The microorganisms consider ethanol as a waste and poisonous product and will kill the microorganisms if it is not removed. If necessary, the ethanol may be `
continually removed from the system. It is possible to select microorganisms which demonstrate higher tolerences to ethanol to improve the process.
The container for the process may be of any definite shape and size. The type of bacteria, the medium and/or matrix will all determine the type of container to - be used. For example, the container may be flat such as a ., , petri dish, a glass cylinder tank, or a matrix such as an open cell foam, it has been ound that the microorganisms ~
''`'~:.~:-'. ' :'" :"",' . . ~-.:
2~05~
1 will in fact grown on the cell and thus remove any need for a suspension system. .:~
Although the foregoing disclosure describes a pre~erred embodiment of this invention, it is to be understood that it is not so restricted.
It is a further object of the present invention 2~0~a~S~ `
1 to provide a process for synthesis of ethanol which integrates the entire synthesis process as a continuous in vivo process producing little waste and high efficiency.
In summary therefore, by combining the innate photosynthetic capability of the microorganisms to ;
synthesize the appropriate substrate for the generation of ethanol, with the "non-innate" capability to synthesize -ethanol from the thus produced substrate, the inventor has invented a complete in vivo system of ethanol generation ; ;
from photosynthesis to ethanol production. This "non-innate" capability to synthesize ethanol from the produced substrate was added by in vitro genetic manipulation.
To this end, in one of its aspects, the ~;
invention provides a process for the synthesis of ethanol ~ :i which comprises an in vivo combined system of ;
photosynthetic carbon fixation and ethanol generation.
In another of its aspects, the invention further provides a process for the synthesis oE ethanol which comprises combining an in vivo system for photosynthetic carbon fixation, an inorganic carbon source, light, water, and a genetically added capability to ultimately generate ethanol directly from those carbohydrates produced from the in vivo photosynthetic carbon fixation system, inorganic carbon, light and water.
. -.
2~ 62 1 4. Description of the Preferred Embodiment The present invention uses five basic ingredients. These are an _n vivo system for photosynthetic carbon fixation (PCF), an inorganic carbon source, light and water and a genetically added capability to ultimately generate ethanol directly from those carbohydrates produced from the in vivo PCF~ inorganic carbon, light and water. The in vivo system for PCF is activated by light~ The light, consisting of photons of light, may be from the sun as natural occuring light or from lamps. The PCF system is preferably derived from one or more photosensitive microorganisms selected from the group consisting of cyanobacteria, eukayotic algae and photosynthetic bacteria. The photosynthetic bacteria may be green sulphur bacteria or purple sulphur bacteria. The characteristic eatures of all these microorganisms is that they will take in sun light, carbon dioxide and water and produce some form of utilizable carbohydrate. The inorganic carbon source is preferably carbon dioxide and the water may be fresh or saline water. The added genetic capability is accomplished by the addition of the genes required for synthesis of ethanol from pyruvate. These genes include PDC and ADH and are added to the genetic complement of the microorganism by recombinant DNA
techniques and express the required proteins. These genes 26)~5~
' ` ' :"'' 1 and theie promotors may be so designed as to allow control over the activation or non-activation of the ethanol generating capability. ~ ~;
In the simplest and basic process, the water and the photosynthetic microorganism, are placed in a `
container such as a clear acrylic cylinder and exposed to sunlight. Carbon dioxide is fed into the container and ethanol is synthesized. Minerals may be added to keep the microorganisms alive and do not affect the production or ~ ~;
quality of the ethanol removed from the side. In a typical process, after exposing the combined ethanol and photosynthetic carbon fixation system (CEPCFS) to sunlight for a period of about 24.3 hours, the effluent comprises 10~ ethanol and 90% water.
rrhere are essentially hundreds of microorganisms which can be used in the present process. Any ~.. "!"' ~.' microorganism which has the ability to generate photosynthetically derived carbohydrates may be used and ~ ~
it is possible to clone the ability to syntheslze ethanol ~ -directly into the microorganism if not present. For example, the genes for the process may be isolated from Saccharomyces cerevisciae (yeast) or Zymomonas mobilis tbacteria) and then mounted directly onto a vector plasmid for transformation of the photosynthetic microorganism.
The transformed microorganism now contains the genes which Z~5a~c62 1 will start expressing and producing the PDC and ADH which takes the pyruvate and produces ethanol. The genes may stay on the plasmid itself or may be incorporated directly into the host DNA.
Evaluation to date,, indicates that in one litre of dense suspension which contained up to 30mg chlorophyl/litre, when exposed to sunlight, it generated 80 to 120 micromoles of pyruvate/mg chlorophyl/hour. At 50% efficiency, the rate of ethanol generated is 1250 micromoles of ethanol/litre/hour.
There are tolerences to the system. The produced ethanol is toxic to the microorganisms although some microorganisms can tolerate ethanol better than others. The microorganisms consider ethanol as a waste and poisonous product and will kill the microorganisms if it is not removed. If necessary, the ethanol may be `
continually removed from the system. It is possible to select microorganisms which demonstrate higher tolerences to ethanol to improve the process.
The container for the process may be of any definite shape and size. The type of bacteria, the medium and/or matrix will all determine the type of container to - be used. For example, the container may be flat such as a ., , petri dish, a glass cylinder tank, or a matrix such as an open cell foam, it has been ound that the microorganisms ~
''`'~:.~:-'. ' :'" :"",' . . ~-.:
2~05~
1 will in fact grown on the cell and thus remove any need for a suspension system. .:~
Although the foregoing disclosure describes a pre~erred embodiment of this invention, it is to be understood that it is not so restricted.
Claims (15)
1. A process for the synthesis of ethanol which comprises directly generating ethanol through an in vivo combined system of photosynthetic carbon fixation and ethanol generation.
2. A process as claimed in claim 1 wherein energy is added to said system of photosynthetic carbon fixation and said energy is derived from photons of light.
3. A process as claimed in claim 2 wherein said light is natural occuring light or artificial light.
4. A process as claimed in claim 1 wherein said photosynthetic carbon fixation system is derived from one or more photosensitive microorganisms selected from the group consisting of cyanobacteria, eukayotic algae and photosynthetic bacteria.
5. A process as claimed in claim 4 wherein said photosynthetic bacteria is green sulphur bacteria or purple sulphur bacteria.
6. A process as claimed in claim 1 wherein said photosynthetic carbon fixation derives its carbon source from inorganic carbon.
7. A process as claimed in claim 1 wherein said photosynthetic carbon fixation derives its water source from fresh water or saline water.
8. A process as claimed in claim 4 wherein said microorganism is a microorganism genetically engineered to generate alcohol from photosynthetically derived carbohydrates in an integrated in vivo system
9. A process for the synthesis of ethanol which comprises combining an in vivo system photosynthetic carbon fixation, an inorganic carbon source, light, water, and an in vivo genetically added means to ultimately generate ethanol directly from those carbohydrates produced from the in vivo photosynthetic carbon fixation system, inorganic carbon, light and water.
10. A process as claimed in claim 9 wherein said light is naturally occuring light or artificial light.
11. A process as claimed in claim 9 wherein said photosynthetic carbon fixation system is derived from one or more photosynthetic microorganisms selected from the group consisting of cyanobacteria, eukayotic algae and photosynthetic bacteria.
12. A process as claimed in claim 11 wherein said photosynthetic bacteria is green sulphur bacteria or purple sulphur bacteria.
13. A process as claimed in claim 9 wherein said genetically added means is achieved by the cloning of suitable genes directly into the microorganism.
14. A process as claimed in claim 13 wherein said genes are isolated, mounted directly onto a vector plasmid for transformation of the photosynthetic microorganism and then cloned into the microorganism.
15. A process as claimed in claim 13 wherein said genes are isolated from Saccharomyces cerevisciae or Zymomonas mobilis.
Priority Applications (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA 2005462 CA2005462A1 (en) | 1989-12-13 | 1989-12-13 | Process for the synthesis of ethanol |
Applications Claiming Priority (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA 2005462 CA2005462A1 (en) | 1989-12-13 | 1989-12-13 | Process for the synthesis of ethanol |
Publications (1)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| CA2005462A1 true CA2005462A1 (en) | 1991-06-13 |
Family
ID=4143797
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA 2005462 Abandoned CA2005462A1 (en) | 1989-12-13 | 1989-12-13 | Process for the synthesis of ethanol |
Country Status (1)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| CA (1) | CA2005462A1 (en) |
Cited By (2)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| WO2009133351A3 (en) * | 2008-04-28 | 2010-06-17 | Naturally Scientific Energy Limited | Production of biofuel from plant tissue culture sources |
| WO2010030658A3 (en) * | 2008-09-09 | 2010-07-01 | Battelle Memorial Institute | Production of bio-based materials using photobioreactors with binary cultures |
-
1989
- 1989-12-13 CA CA 2005462 patent/CA2005462A1/en not_active Abandoned
Cited By (6)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| WO2009133351A3 (en) * | 2008-04-28 | 2010-06-17 | Naturally Scientific Energy Limited | Production of biofuel from plant tissue culture sources |
| EP2311970A1 (en) * | 2008-04-28 | 2011-04-20 | Naturally Scientific Technologies Limited | Method for the production of bioproducts |
| US9447442B2 (en) | 2008-04-28 | 2016-09-20 | Naturally Scientific Technologies Limited | Production of biofuel from tissue culture sources |
| US10465215B2 (en) | 2008-04-28 | 2019-11-05 | Naturally Scientific Technologies Limited | Production of biofuel from tissue culture sources |
| WO2010030658A3 (en) * | 2008-09-09 | 2010-07-01 | Battelle Memorial Institute | Production of bio-based materials using photobioreactors with binary cultures |
| US8518690B2 (en) | 2008-09-09 | 2013-08-27 | Battelle Memorial Institute | Production of bio-based materials using photobioreactors with binary cultures |
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