Description:
Succinic acid and other carboxylic acids have commercial relevance in
the pharmaceutical, food, and polymer production industries, as well as in the
manufacture of other industrial chemicals.
Description
MSU’s invention simplifies the process for the recovery of succinic
acid from fermentation broths in the form of ethyl esters, which enables
separation of succinate by distillation. The novel aspect of this invention is
the extraction of the acids from the fermentation broth into ethanol,
eliminating several purification steps required to separate carboxylic acids
without needing to purify succinic acid as an intermediate.
Benefits
·
Economical and simplified production: The process
eliminates the need to isolate and purify succinic acid before producing the
ester and reduces waste.
·
Recovery of other co-products: Other important carboxylic
acids can be produced economically by the same simplified
process.
·
Environmentally-friendly alternative: This process uses
less energy and fewer materials than current bio-based processes and enables the
recycling of any steam/water produced.
Applications
Succinic acid and other carboxylic acids can be used across an array
of applications and industries such as the following:
·
Raw material in the manufacture of organic
chemicals
·
Sodium salt to improve flavor in the food
industry
·
Compound needed to produce paints, dyes, ion exchange
resins, and pesticides
·
Agent in the synthesis of diuretics, sedatives,
expectorants, and vitamins
·
Sustainable and “green” alternative to petroleum-derived
maleic anhydride
IP Patent Protection
Patent pending
