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Production of Glycolipid Biosurfactants from Yeasts

Technology Benefits

Secretion of extracellular glycolipids allows recovery without lysing the cellsHarvesting the glycolipids does not require use of organic solvents making it less costly and more environmentally friendlyImproved production yieldsSynthesis without a hydrophobic substrate

Technology Application

Low-foaming applications including laundry and dishwashing detergentsAntifoam activity for industrial fermentations, petroleum recovery, cleansing processes, and moreSurfactant activity for use as cleanser, detergent, dispersant, wetting agent, mixing/blending agent and/or emulsifierCosmetic uses including emollient and humectantIndustrial and consumer product use as an instantizer, viscosity modifier, lubricant, and/or release agentAgricultural use as potential biocontrol agent against insects, viruses, fungi or bacteria

Detailed Technology Description

Sophorolipids are non-petroleum based biodegradable glycolipid biosurfactants used in household and industrial cleaners, as well as in agricultural pest control products. These molecules have surfactant activity because they consist of a hydrophobic fatty acid conjugated to a hydrophilic disaccharide. Currently, commercial production of sophorolipids involves an ascomycetous yeast, Starmerella bombicola, grown on a combination of sugar plus a hydrophobic substrate usually composed of glucose plus vegetable oil or purified oleic acid. Researchers at the University of California, Davis have discovered a novel yeast species that is capable of synthesizing and secreting sophorolipids when grown on sugar alone, rather than on a sugar and oil combination. This allows for a solvent-free, more economical harvesting and purification of the product. This invention overcomes the three major obstacles of current production methods: the expenses of harvesting the cells from the media, lysing the cells, and extracting the oil using organic solvents. The yeast discovered by the UC Davis researchers secretes the desired oils extracellularly, allowing for the recovery of the oil without the need to lyse the cells. Harvesting the oil without the use of organic solvents makes the process significantly less costly and more environmentally friendly.

Application No.

20170183702

Others

Related Technologies

• Production of Glycolipid PEFAs from Yeasts

Additional Technologies by these Inventors

• Production of Glycolipid PEFAs from Yeasts
• Breast Milk as a Source, Incubation/Storage Medium, and Delivery System for Infant Mucosal Immunity Bacteriophage

Tech ID/UC Case

24093/2014-225-0

Related Cases

2014-225-0, 2014-654-0

*Abstract

Method of using basidiomycetous yeasts to convert carbohydrates to glycolipid biosurfactants.

*IP Issue Date

Jun 29, 2017

*Principal Investigator

Name: Kyria Boundy-Mills

Department:

Name: Luis Antonio Garay Almada

Department:

Name: John German

Department:

Name: Irnayuli Sitepu

Department:

Country/Region

USA