MSU Technologies

Enzymatic Route for Production of 3-Hydroxypropionic acid (3-HP)

Executive Summary

Most organic (carbon-containing) chemicals used today are derived from petroleum or natural gas. Increasingly, companies are looking for alternative carbon sources to meet a growing demands for sustainability. 3-Hydroxypropionic acid (3-HP) is an intermediate that can be transformed into many important chemicals used in a variety of applications including coatings, printing and packaging, adhesives and fibers markets, yet no cost-effective route has been developed to date. MSU innovators have recently developed a new synthetic route to produce 3-HP using enzymes, with high product yield and selectivity. The route has an additional advantage in that the critical 3-HP precursor is formed from carbon dioxide (CO₂) and methane (CH₄) which has the further benefit of reducing these harmful greenhouse gases.

Description of the Technology

This technology utilizes acetylene carboxylic acid (ACA) as a starting material for the process. Since ACA can be formed from methane and carbon dioxide, its use reduces greenhouse gases and carbon from the atmosphere. A novel enzyme is used to convert the ACA to malonate semialdehyde with high selectivity and efficient conversion (not seen before), which is subsequently converted to 3-HP in the process. The technology has been demonstrated at the laboratory phase with over 90% conversion of the ACA to 3-HP within 72 h at room temperature.

Benefits

Uses non-petroleum starting material (ACA) which reduces greenhouse gases in the atmosphere
Biocatalytic process using enzymes
High conversion of ACA and selectivity to form 3-HP

Applications