Methods for producing caprylic acid and/or caprylate

US11203770B2 · kind B2 · utility

Assignee

• Cornell University · IT

Inventors

• Largus T. Angenent · Tübingen, DE
• Leo Kucek · Superior, US

Key dates

• Filing date: Jan 6, 2020
• Grant date: Dec 21, 2021
• Expiry date: Jan 6, 2040

Classification

• Technology area (CPC C): Chemistry; Metallurgy
• CPC primary: C12P7/6409
• WIPO field: Biotechnology
• WIPO sector: Chemistry

Abstract

Methods and systems to produce product compositions comprising caprylate products using chain-elongating bacteria. For example, the caprylate product in the product composition is n-caprylic acid (C8) and the n-caprylic (C8) to n-caproic (C6) acid ratio is higher than 1:1. These methods use chain elongation towards C8 rather than C6. High n-caprylate productivity and specificity was accomplished by: 1) feeding a substrate with, for example, ethanol as the carbon source or alternatively, a high ethanol-to-acetate ratio as the carbon source; 2) extracting caprylate product(s) (e.g., n-caprylate product) from the bioreactor broth; and 3) acclimating an efficient chain-elongating microbiome. The methods can produce caprylate products such as, for example, n-caprylic acid, which is a higher value chemical than C4 and C6.