Related Experiment Video
Updated: Aug 8, 2026
06:45
Continuous Liquid-Liquid Extraction of Medium-Chain Fatty Acids from Fermentation Broth Using Hollow-Fiber Membranes
Published on: August 9, 2024
Microbial Manufacturing and Application of trans-Aconitic Acid
Zhiqiang Du1,2, Min Wang1,2, Meng Gu1,2,3
1State Key Laboratory of Photoelectric Conversion and Utilization of Solar Energy, Qingdao Institute of Bioenergy and Bioprocess Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Qingdao, Shandong, China.
Advances in Biochemical Engineering/Biotechnology
|August 7, 2026
Summary
Microbial production of trans-Aconitic acid was achieved through metabolic engineering of Aspergillus terreus. This breakthrough enables sustainable, large-scale bio-production for applications in agriculture and biomaterials.
Area of Science:
- Biotechnology
- Green Chemistry
- Organic Chemistry
Background:
- Trans-Aconitic acid, an unsaturated tricarboxylic acid, has significant potential in agriculture, biomaterials, and green chemistry.
- Current production methods (plant extraction, chemical synthesis) face limitations in yield, cost, and environmental impact.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review advances in trans-Aconitic acid production and applications.
- To highlight the development of microbial manufacturing for industrial-scale production.
- To detail the commercialization of trans-Aconitic acid for sustainable applications.
Main Methods:
- Metabolic engineering of industrial Aspergillus terreus to create a high-titer cell factory.
- Optimization of fermentation medium and process parameters for scalable production.
- Development of a green and efficient downstream process for purification.
Main Results:
- A robust and scalable fermentation process for trans-Aconitic acid was established and validated in a 120 m³ fermenter.
- The first industrial trans-Aconitic acid production line was created.
- Commercial applications in bionematicides and bio-based plasticizers were facilitated.
Conclusions:
- Microbial manufacturing offers a viable and sustainable route for industrial trans-Aconitic acid production.
- Technological advancements enable the transition from laboratory innovation to industrial implementation for bio-derived organic acids.
- Trans-Aconitic acid is positioned as a key bio-based platform chemical for diverse applications.
Keywords:
Bio-based plasticizersIndustrial filamentous fungiMetabolic engineeringMicrobial manufacturingNontoxic nematicidetrans-Aconitic acidMore Related Videos
Related Concept Videos
01:25Production of Organic Acids
Lactic acid, an important organic acid extensively applied in food, pharmaceutical, and biodegradable polymer industries, is primarily produced via microbial fermentation. This method is favored over chemical synthesis due to its environmental sustainability and capacity for enantiomerically pure product formation. Among various microbial processes, the fermentation of starch-based substrates stands out due to the abundance and renewability of raw materials like corn and potatoes.Hydrolysis of...
01:27Upstream Processing
Upstream processing represents a critical phase in biomanufacturing, wherein biological systems such as microorganisms, mammalian cells, or insect cells are cultivated to produce therapeutic proteins, vaccines, enzymes, or other biologically derived products. This phase encompasses all steps from the selection and genetic manipulation of the production organism to the cultivation of cells in bioreactors under tightly controlled environmental conditions.Host Selection and Genetic OptimizationThe...
01:18Production of Biopesticides
Biopesticides offer a sustainable alternative to chemical pesticides, utilizing microbial agents to control agricultural pests. Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) is a widely employed bacterium known for its potent insecticidal activity. Bt biopesticides are favored for their specificity to insect pests, minimal environmental impact, and natural degradability.Mechanism of Bt Toxin Action Bt produces insecticidal crystal (Cry) proteins during its sporulation phase. These proteins form parasporal...
01:27Production of Antibiotics
Penicillin, one of the earliest and most widely used antibiotics, is produced industrially by the filamentous fungus Penicillium chrysogenum. Large stirred-tank bioreactors ranging from tens to hundreds of thousands of liters maintain tightly controlled temperature, pH, and dissolved oxygen conditions to support fungal metabolism and maximize antibiotic yield. Penicillin is a secondary metabolite, synthesized primarily during the stationary growth phase, which requires a carefully managed...
01:27Microbes in the Production of Fermented Foods
Lactic acid bacteria (LAB) and molds are instrumental in fermenting plant-based foods to enhance preservation and ensure year-round availability. These microbial processes convert plant carbohydrates into organic acids and other metabolites that inhibit spoilage organisms and contribute to the sensory qualities of the final product.In sauerkraut production, cabbage goes through a microbial succession that starts with cocci such as Leuconostoc mesenteroides. These microbes begin fermentation by...
01:29Microbes in Food Production
Microbial fermentation is central to food biotechnology, enhancing flavor, texture, preservation, and stability. Fermentative microorganisms metabolize carbohydrates into organic acids, alcohols, and other metabolites that inhibit spoilage organisms and improve digestibility while contributing distinctive sensory qualities.In baking, amylases naturally present in flour hydrolyze starch into monosaccharides such as glucose, which Saccharomyces cerevisiae ferments anaerobically. Through...