Succinic Esters from Renewable Feedstocks (SERF)

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Work Package B1: Year 1-2 (IGER, FA) Production of lactic acid and its derivatives. Lactobacilli will be studied for the production of lactic acid and its derivatives. Currently lactic acid production from sugar compounds is limited by the lack of bio-tolerance which results in poisoning and low yields. New more tolerant strains of lactobacillus have been identified and these will be assessed, alongside existing and new isolates. The work package will optimise lactic acid production using novel and existing strains of lactobacilli. Methods will also seek to enhance purification by utilising different fractions from residual plant biomass. Work Package B2: Year 1-2 (IGER). Production of succinic acid and its derivatives. Rumen microbes have been studied extensively in animal nutrition but have yet to be studied in this proposed context for industrial applications, see annex B technology barriers. IGER will develop this existing know-how for new applications. Several rumen microbes produce succinate as a primary fermentation product. A cocktail of Fibrobacter succinogenes and Ruminococcus flavefaciens will be used for the production of succinic acid and optimised for fermentation. Work Package B3 Year 1-2 (IGER) Production of sugar based compounds. In this work package the use of cell wall degrading enzymes e.g. novel cellulase mixtures, endo xylanases, ferulic acid esterase on unprocessed, mechanically separated and juice/ fibre fractions will be undertaken to identify conversion efficiency vs. level of processing. This assessment will improve the economics by identifying the minimal level of processing for maximal yield of sugar. This step will be integrated with work packages B1 and B2. Development Phase C: Chemical conversions of platform chemicals to chemical feedstocks. Platform molecules developed in work packages B1, B2 and B3 will be converted into chemical feedstocks using a range of conventional and green synthesis routes. Work will assess the process using reaction calorimetry before pilot scale production on a new 50 litre facility at the BioComposites Centre. Industrial partners will then validate products in selected applications (resins, coatings, plastics and cosmetics) Work Package C1 Year 2-3 (BC). Lab scale production of target molecules. Laboratory studies (RC1) will be undertaken to assess the conversion of platform chemicals to chemical feedstocks such as lactic acid to ethyl lactate and acrylic acid. Other conversions of succinic acid to succinic esters, tetrahydrofuran, 1,4 butanediol and pentanediol will also be studied. Work Package C2 Year 2-3. Pilot scale production and product formulation. Where appropriate consortium partners will undertake pilot scale production of chemical feedstocks using the protocols developed in the work packages. Compounds made by the partners will include PLA, polyols, polyol esters, succinate esters.