New Carbohydrate Derivatives from Biotechnical and Chemical Processes

Abstract

Starch, its derivatives and hydrolysis products are well established as industrial products for the food and technical industries. More advanced products, based on starch, are available today, manufactured by biotechnical and chemical processes. They comprise a variety of monomeric compounds like polyols, hydroxycarboxylic acids, glycosides and their derivatives obtained by esterification, etherification and amination. In addition, interesting oligomeric and polymeric products are accessible, based on starch and its derivatives. Selected examples of these products are described as well as their respective production methods. For some products the chemicals synthesis will be compared with the fermentation route, analysing the relative advantages and disadvantages of both. The wide application potential of these “new” products is illustrated with reference to their use in different industries, e. g. in the manufacturing and processing of resins, polymers, detergents, cosmetics, pharmaceuticals and processed foods. Special emphasis will be given to the structural peculiarities of these carbohydrate derivatives, for example chirality, which enables them to act as unique intermediates in the production of biologically active products.

A View Through Novel Process Windows

“…[72] The challenge in the utilization of glucose as a chemical feedstock is the oxidation of glucose, typically performed in batch by microbial fermentation. [73] Although the used microorganisms are cheap, their performance leaves to be desired; low activity, large amounts of by-products and waste water, high oxygen consumption and the need for a sterile environment. [72] A holistic evaluation on soybean-oil processes was previously done by Kralisch et al [59] For the oxidation of glucose, alternative processes are based on noble metal catalysts or isolated enzymes, which each have their own challenges.…”

From a Review of Noble Metal versus Enzyme Catalysts for Glucose Oxidation Under Conventional Conditions Towards a Process Design Analysis for Continuous-flow Operation

“…In the past 20 years, there has been a growing demand for the application of carbohydrates as feedstock for the chemical industry [1]. They are renewable resources and are available in very large amounts.…”

“…The most important carbohydrate feedstock are starch, cellulose, sucrose, and glucose. Their selective oxidation is an important first step in production of detergents, paper, pharmaceutical products, cosmetics, and food ingredients [1].…”

Biotechnical modification of carbohydrates

“…Ferruzzi has developed a fermentation process to produce meso-erythritol from glucose by an aerobic fermentation process, employing an osmophilic yeast strain, Moniliella tomentosa [5]. The fermentation process is performed with glucose as a substrate in a high concentration of 450 g/1.…”