Biotechnological production of d-glyceric acid and its application

Abstract

Glycerol is currently produced in large amounts as a by-product during fat splitting and biodiesel fuel production. Over the past decade, both chemical and biotechnological processes to convert glycerol to value-added chemicals have been increasingly explored. This mini-review provides recent information about the biotechnological production of a glycerol derivative, D-glyceric acid (D-GA), and its possible applications. Little is known about GA as a bioproduct, but it is naturally found in different kinds of plants as a phytochemical constituent and is reported to have some biological activity. A racemic mixture of DL-GA can be obtained from glycerol via chemical oxidation; however, D-GA is mainly biotechnologically produced with the aid of bacteria. Under aerobic conditions, some acetic acid bacteria transform glycerol into D-GA, and optimization of initial glycerol concentration and aeration rate provided a yield of more than 80 g/l D-GA, using a strain of Gluconobacter frateurii.

Synthesis and Interfacial Properties of Monoacyl Glyceric Acids as a New Class of Green Surfactants

“…GA is a promising glycerol derivative because it can be used as a kind of functional organic acid 9 . In particular, D-GA has several biological actions, including diuresis 10 , liver-stimulating and cholesterolytic activities 11 , and the acceleration of ethanol and acetaldehyde oxidation 12 .…”

In vitro evaluation of glyceric acid and its glucosyl derivative, α-glucosylglyceric acid, as cell proliferation inducers and protective solutes

“…1(A)) is a natural organic acid and a minor constituent of some plants. 1) GA and its derivatives have such biological activities as accelerating ethanol and acetaldehyde metabolism in rats, 2) antitrypsin activity, 3) and activating ethanol-dosed gastric cells. 4) However, few studies on the application of GA have been conducted because GA production is limited by the high cost of catalytic synthesis.…”

Oxidação de glicerol sobre nanopartículas de ouro suportadas em carvão ativado: monitoramento quimiométrico da reação por ESI-MS e MIR

“…São relatadas várias aplicações para o ácido glicérico e seus derivados, tais como estimulante do fígado e colesterolítico, acelerador da oxidação de etanol e acetaldeído in vivo, além de servir de material de partida para fabricação de surfactantes funcionais e polímeros. 6 O ácido glicólico tem uma produção global anual que chega a alguns milhares de toneladas. Sua principal aplicação está na área cosmética, sobretudo em produtos dermatológicos.…”