Development of Bioemulsifier Production to Advance Commercial Explotation Opportunities
Lead Research Organisation:
Scottish Association For Marine Science
Department Name: Dunstaffnage Marine Laboratory
Abstract
This proposal aims to exploit a suite of natural emulsifiers (bioemulsifiers) that show exceptional
promise as ingredients and production process agents in industries such as healthcare and food and
beverages. Emulsifier use is widespread because of the need to mix 'oil and water' in many
products. Bioemulsifiers are microbially produced surface-active molecules that are promising
alternatives to the chemically synthesised varieties because they are natural, have potentially lower
toxicities and improved functionality (e.g. foaming, stabilisation; tolerance to extremes of
temperature and pH). This project aims to significantly increase bioemulsifier production to
facilitate commercial exploitation opportunities, by: (i) induction and selection of hyper-producing
mutant strains using non-GM methods; (ii) optimise microbial fermentation; and (iii) improve
recovery and purification processes. Through market research we will identify market opportunities
and potential barriers to commercialization and develop and extend existing collaborations with
interested parties and explore commercially uses for these bioemulsifiers.
promise as ingredients and production process agents in industries such as healthcare and food and
beverages. Emulsifier use is widespread because of the need to mix 'oil and water' in many
products. Bioemulsifiers are microbially produced surface-active molecules that are promising
alternatives to the chemically synthesised varieties because they are natural, have potentially lower
toxicities and improved functionality (e.g. foaming, stabilisation; tolerance to extremes of
temperature and pH). This project aims to significantly increase bioemulsifier production to
facilitate commercial exploitation opportunities, by: (i) induction and selection of hyper-producing
mutant strains using non-GM methods; (ii) optimise microbial fermentation; and (iii) improve
recovery and purification processes. Through market research we will identify market opportunities
and potential barriers to commercialization and develop and extend existing collaborations with
interested parties and explore commercially uses for these bioemulsifiers.
People |
ORCID iD |
| David Green (Principal Investigator) |
Publications
Emami K
(2016)
MALDI-TOF Mass Spectrometry Discriminates Known Species and Marine Environmental Isolates of Pseudoalteromonas.
in Frontiers in microbiology
Gutierrez T
(2012)
Algiphilus aromaticivorans gen. nov., sp. nov., an aromatic hydrocarbon-degrading bacterium isolated from a culture of the marine dinoflagellate Lingulodinium polyedrum, and proposal of Algiphilaceae fam. nov.
in International journal of systematic and evolutionary microbiology
Gutierrez T
(2012)
Metal binding properties of the EPS produced by Halomonas sp. TG39 and its potential in enhancing trace element bioavailability to eukaryotic phytoplankton.
in Biometals : an international journal on the role of metal ions in biology, biochemistry, and medicine
Gutierrez T
(2009)
Yield and physicochemical properties of EPS from Halomonas sp. strain TG39 identifies a role for protein and anionic residues (sulfate and phosphate) in emulsification of n-hexadecane.
in Biotechnology and bioengineering
Gutierrez T
(2008)
Emulsifying and metal ion binding activity of a glycoprotein exopolymer produced by Pseudoalteromonas sp. strain TG12.
in Applied and environmental microbiology
Gutierrez T
(2013)
Polycyclovorans algicola gen. nov., sp. nov., an aromatic-hydrocarbon-degrading marine bacterium found associated with laboratory cultures of marine phytoplankton.
in Applied and environmental microbiology
Gutiérrez T
(2009)
Emulsifying properties of a glycoprotein extract produced by a marine Flexibacter species strain TG382
in Enzyme and Microbial Technology
Gutiérrez T
(2007)
Glycoprotein emulsifiers from two marine Halomonas species: chemical and physical characterization.
in Journal of applied microbiology
Gutiérrez T
(2007)
Partial purification and chemical characterization of a glycoprotein (putative hydrocolloid) emulsifier produced by a marine bacterium Antarctobacter.
in Applied microbiology and biotechnology
| Description | New bioemulsifying biopolymers were developed and their production levels characterised, as well as optimisation studies to improve these yields. Conservative increases in yield were achieved, but these increases were still insufficient to be considered 'economic' for either of two companies interested in these bioemulsifiers. Therefore, the aim of commercialising these bioemulsifiers was not achieved. In parallel work identifying the biochemical characteristics of these bioemulsifiers, we identified that these biopolymers are likely to be important in binding essential trace elements such as iron for the bacteria, but also that these biopolymers may make some metals more bioavailable to algae these bacteria live in association with. Furthermore, these biopolymers could bind a range of heavy metals, which may be an important ecological property, but also raises the possibility of using these biopolymers to remediate waters of heavy metal contamination. This work lead to the realisation that yield of product was critical to get commercial interest. This has now been achieved, and we have a bacterial biopolymer being developed in conjunction with Unilever. |
| Exploitation Route | The environmental and ecological implications for why these biopolymers are made is being developed as a research direction examining the role of bacterial biopolymers (and bacteria) may have in accessing essential trace elements from terrestrial humic material. The research knowledge and skills are being used to develop new biopolymers for commercial exploitation. Recognition that yield of product is critical to attract commercial interest in developing new products/processes. |
| Sectors | Agriculture, Food and Drink,Education,Environment,Healthcare,Manufacturing, including Industrial Biotechology,Pharmaceuticals and Medical Biotechnology |
| Description | The research has identified fundamental properties of the bioemulsifiers that is relevant to marine biogeochemistry. The research has also enabled development of subsequent biopolymers for future commercial exploration. Results from this grant yielded a bioemulsifier product that was of application interest to two commercial companies. However, the production level that was achieved was still deemed insufficient to warrant these companies trying to develop this product further. This research has lead to successful PhD studentships being awarded to further develop new marine bacterial biopolymers in conjunction with two companies who provide products for the household and food sectors, and biomedical treatments. |
| First Year Of Impact | 2010 |
| Sector | Agriculture, Food and Drink,Education,Environment,Healthcare,Manufacturing, including Industrial Biotechology,Pharmaceuticals and Medical Biotechnology |
| Impact Types | Societal,Economic |
| Description | European Social Fund |
| Amount | £103,000 (GBP) |
| Organisation | University of the Highlands and Islands |
| Sector | Academic/University |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Start | 10/2017 |
| End | 03/2021 |
| Description | FP7 KBBE.2012.3.2-01 |
| Amount | € 7,461,716 (EUR) |
| Funding ID | 311932 |
| Organisation | European Commission |
| Department | Seventh Framework Programme (FP7) |
| Sector | Public |
| Country | European Union (EU) |
| Start | 08/2012 |
| End | 08/2016 |
| Description | IBioIC PhD Studentship |
| Amount | £103,400 (GBP) |
| Funding ID | DG813 |
| Organisation | Industrial Biotechnology Innovation Centre |
| Sector | Academic/University |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Start | 10/2015 |
| End | 09/2019 |
| Description | Meeting presentation |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
| Results and Impact | Presentation titled: Marine bacterial biopolymers: from ecology to exploitation. The work reported was based on NERC follow-on funded results and was updated with recent work conducted at SAMS and in collaboration with the University of Strathclyde (funded by EU FP7). |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2016 |
| URL | http://ibcarb.com/wp-content/uploads/IBCarb_PHYCONET-Algal-polysaccharides-agenda.pdf |