Terephthalic acid producing proteobacteria
OwnerMichael G. Bramucci, Carol M. McCutchen +2inventors
InventorsMichael G. Bramucci, Carol M. McCutchen, Vasantha Nagarajan, Stuart M. Thomas
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Abstract
This invention relates to a biocatalytic process to produce terephthalic acid and isophthalic acid from p-xylene and m-xylene, respectively. Terephthalic acid has been prepared by oxidizing p-xylene with bacteria belonging to the genus Burkholderia. Conversion of p-xylene into terephthalic acid is accomplished by a single bacterial strain that produces all of the requisite enzymes. In addition, this invention relates to the preparation of isophthalic acid from a mixture of m- and p-xylene.
Claims31
A TPA producing microorganism isolated by the process comprising:
- (i) culturing a sample suspected of containing a TPA producing microorganism in a suitable growth medium containing at least one aromatic organic substrate selected from the group consisting of p-xylene, p-toluic acid, and terephthalic acid;
- (ii) selecting those microorganisms which are able to use every substrate selected individually from the group consisting of p-xylene, p-toluic acid, and terephthalic acid as a sole carbon source;
- (iii) contacting the microorganisms selected in step (ii) with p-xylene to form a reaction medium;
- and
- (iv) monitoring the reaction medium over time for the presence of terephthalic acid, whereby the production of terephthalic acid indicates the presence of a TPA producing microorganism.
A process for the isolation of a TPA producing microorganism comprising:
- (i) culturing a sample suspected of containing a TPA producing microorganism in a suitable growth medium containing at least one aromatic organic substrate selected from the group consisting of p-xylene, p-toluic acid, and terephthalic acid;
- (ii) selecting those microorganisms which are able to use every substrate selected individually from the group consisting of p-xylene, p-toluic acid, and terephthalic acid as a sole carbon source;
- (iii) contacting the microorganisms selected in step (ii) with p-xylene to form a reaction medium;
- and
- (iv) monitoring the reaction medium over time for the presence of terephthalic acid, whereby the production of terephthalic acid indicates the presence of a TPA producing microorganism.
A process for the production of terephthalic acid comprising:
- (i) contacting an isolated TPA producing microorganism with an aromatic organic substrate whereby terephthalic acid accumulates;
- and
- (ii) optionally recovering the terephthalic acid.
A process for the production of 4-carboxybenzyl alcohol comprising:
- (i) contacting an isolated TPA producing microorganism with an aromatic organic substrate whereby 4-carboxybenzyl alcohol accumulates;
- and
- (ii) optionally recovering the 4-carboxybenzyl alcohol.
A process for the production of 4-carboxybenzaldehyde comprising:
- (i) contacting an isolated TPA producing microorganism with an aromatic organic substrate whereby 4-carboxybenzaldehyde accumulates;
- and
- (ii) optionally recovering the 4-carboxybenzaldehyde.
A process for the production of 1,4-benzenedimethanol comprising:
- (i) contacting an isolated TPA producing microorganism with an aromatic organic substrate whereby 1,4-benzenedimethanol accumulates;
- and
- (ii) optionally recovering the 1,4-benzenedimethanol.
A process for the production of terephthalaldehyde comprising:
- (i) contacting an isolated TPA producing microorganism with an aromatic organic substrate whereby terephthalaldehyde accumulates;
- and
- (ii) optionally recovering the terephthalaldehyde.
A process for the production of isophthalic acid comprising:
- (i) contacting an isolated TPA producing microorganism with an aromatic organic substrate and at least one suitable induction compound whereby isophthalic acid accumulates;
- and
- (ii) optionally recovering the isophthalic acid.
A process for the production of terephthalic acid comprising:
- (i) contacting a mixed population of microorganisms comprising the genes encoding the TPA biosynthetic pathway, with an aromatic organic substrate whereby terephthalic acid accumulates;
- and
- (ii) optionally recovering the terephthalic acid.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.