BASF improves biotechnological synthesis of vitamin B2
In cooperation with the University of Salamanca, Spain, BASF researchers have significantly optimized the biotechnological production of vitamin B2. To this end, they investigated a fungus with the scientific name of Ashbya gossypii. With its help, BASF has been producing this vital vitamin in Ludwigshafen since 1990 - in the meantime, in an annual volume of more than a thousand metric tons. The company and university partners have now succeeded with biotechnological methods in raising the productivity of the microorganism by 20 percent. For this work, BASF received the prize "Familia del Rector D. Miguel de Unamuno Mecenas de la Universidad," which was awarded for the first time by the University of Salamanca.
"The award is pleasing confirmation of the good teamwork between university and industry," says Dr. Burkhard Kröger. The biologist is responsible in BASF's Main Laboratory for research into microbial syntheses and has been cooperating for five years with Professor José-Luis Revuelta from Salamanca. "With the award, the university acknowledges the success of the scientific work and the industrial implementation of the results. We have already filed more than ten patent applications."
In the research work, enzymes played a key role. These are organic compounds formed by the microorganism, each of which controls a reaction in its metabolism. For instance, certain enzymes enable the Ashbya gossypii fungus to live on vegetable oils and to produce vitamin B2 from these renewable raw materials. This was the starting point for the cooperation partners from Germany and Spain: Revuelta discovered which enzymes are involved in the synthesis of vitamin B2 in this organism. His findings helped BASF's researchers to improve the productivity of the fungus.
Vitamin B2 is used as a dietary supplement in both human nutrition and in animal feeds. BASF is the world's second largest manufacturer of vitamins and accounts for approximately 30 percent of the world market. In 1999, the operating division Fine Chemicals achieved sales of approximately Eur 500 million ($500 million) with vitamins for use in the pharmaceutical, food and animal feed industries.
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Topic world Synthesis
Chemical synthesis is at the heart of modern chemistry and enables the targeted production of molecules with specific properties. By combining starting materials in defined reaction conditions, chemists can create a wide range of compounds, from simple molecules to complex active ingredients.
Topic world Synthesis
Chemical synthesis is at the heart of modern chemistry and enables the targeted production of molecules with specific properties. By combining starting materials in defined reaction conditions, chemists can create a wide range of compounds, from simple molecules to complex active ingredients.
