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ePaper created 2017-03-14, 10:25:37 | version 1.49.03
CHEMISTRY AND PROCESS INDUSTRY 1 2 BI-AMIN – PRODUCING AMINES MORE SUSTAINABLY Fa b ian Ste f f l e r, Vo lke r Si e b e r Cell-free biosynthesis as an alternative to fermentation In contrast to fermentation processes, where usually micro- organisms are applied as whole cells, the researchers are planning to use the concept of cell-free biosynthesis for the production of amines. For this, puriied speciic enzymes are applied which are combined to purely enzymatic reaction cascades. The aim of the project team is to develop such enzymatic reaction routes for the biosynthesis of amines and to scale up this process to the pilot scale. Outlook Enzymes should convert renewable raw materials to the desired amines with yields as high as possible. The Straubing branch of Fraunhofer IGB is working on the optimization of suitable enzymes and their production for implementation in the reaction cascades. Another focus of the researchers in Straubing is to develop new methods for processing amines from the cell-free reaction mixtures, as these contribute sig- niicantly to the economic eficiency of the biotechnological process. Amines play an important role in the chemical industry. They are manufactured in a wide variety as building blocks for agricultural and pharmaceutical chemicals as well as surfac- tants, coatings and lubricants. In the BMBF-funded Bi-Amin project, Fraunhofer IGB and its project partners are searching for biotechnical reaction routes and catalysts that can make production more sustainable. Demand for alternative synthesis routes Amines are industrially produced based on fossil fuels. The chemical synthesis usually requires high temperatures and pressures. Unfortunately, this has a negative impact on the energy balance of production. In addition, the reactions are usually not enantioselective, which reduces the speciic product formation and yield. Biotechnological process uses renewable resources In the Bi-Amin project, Fraunhofer IGB’s BioCat branch in Straubing is developing a process for the biotechnological pro- duction of amines in cooperation with the Technical University of Munich and industrial partners. Biotechnological processes offer the possibility of using various renewable raw materials as substrates instead of fossil resources. In addition, biocata- lysts – enzymes that are often derived from microorganisms or plants – work preferably at low temperatures and under ambient pressure, thus under “natural” conditions. This can improve the energy balance of the production process. 7 0