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Acetic acid bioproduction: The technological innovation change.
Giulia Merli1, Alessandro Becci1, Alessia Amato1
1Department of Life and Environmental Sciences, Università Politecnica delle Marche, 60131 Ancona, Italy.
The Science of the Total Environment
|August 10, 2021
Summary
Sustainable acetic acid production is gaining interest. Patent analysis reveals a shift towards genetic engineering and agricultural waste for acetic acid bacteria, while acetogenic bacteria focus on synthesis gas for greener processes.
Area of Science:
- Biotechnology
- Industrial Microbiology
- Chemical Engineering
Background:
- Acetic acid is a globally important organic acid with increasing demand.
- Sustainable production methods are crucial due to growing industrial needs.
- Biological routes, including acetogenesis and aerobic fermentation, offer sustainable alternatives.
Purpose of the Study:
- To analyze technological innovation in acetic acid bioproduction through international patent data.
- To provide a worldwide overview of inventions from 1990 to 2020.
- To identify trends in sustainable acetic acid production processes.
Main Methods:
- International patent analysis using the Espacenet platform (1990-2020).
- Review of representative literature on operating conditions (temperature, pH, oxygenation).
- Focus on technological innovation and state-of-the-art advancements.
Main Results:
- Consistent patent activity for acetic acid bacteria, with recent focus on genetic engineering (36%) and agricultural waste (26%).
- Acetogenic bacteria production is a recent development, with over 90% of patents in the last decade.
- Acetogenic bacteria patents primarily explore synthesis gas as a sustainable substrate.
Conclusions:
- Ongoing interest in acetic acid bioproduction by both acetogenic and acetic acid bacteria.
- Acetic acid bacteria production is evolving towards circular economy principles.
- Acetogenic bacteria offer a promising route for sustainable acetic acid production using synthesis gas.
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