Conversion of Biomass Sugars via Fermentation

Background: The Wisconsin Alumni Research Foundation (WARF) is seeking commercial partners interested in developing a cheaper process for converting biomass-derived sugars into value-added chemicals and fuels using microorganisms. Microorganisms like yeast and Escherichia coli are cultured in labs for many purposes notably the production of useful chemicals (such as ethanol) via fermentation. The growth media used in these processes are relatively expensive. Cheaper media derived from renewable resources would be a boon to researchers and industries that rely on microorganisms in their work. Technology Description: UW–Madison researchers previously developed a mild and efficient method for breaking down biomass into its constituent C5 and C6 sugars (e.g. xylose and glucose). The next step is to use these sugars to grow useful microorganisms. The researchers have now developed just such an integrated conversion process: using biomass-derived sugars to culture microorganisms that in turn convert biomass into fuels commodity chemicals and fatty acids. In the process biomass is reacted with a lactone like GVL (gamma-valerolactone) water and an acid catalyst. The reaction yields a mixture containing C5 and C6 sugar oligomers and monomers. The lactone is separated out leaving an aqueous carbohydrate layer that can act as a fermentable substrate for (genetically engineered or wild-type) microorganisms like yeast E. coli and Lactobacillus casei. Applications: 1) Culturing useful microorganisms 2) Converting biomass to commodity chemicals