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Cyanobacteria represent a large group of bacteria with underestimated scientific potential. Recent studies indicate them as a great reservoir of secondary metabolites with antifungal, antiviral or antibacterial activity. However, common, well established research techniques cannot be easily adapted to these organisms. Slow growth rates and irregular cell aggregates constitute challenges for researchers dealing with cyanobacteria. In this work, we present an innovative new method enabling a quick, easy and economical vitality determination of cyanobacterial strains, as, e.g. required for the finding of optimal cryopreservation conditions. We were able to measure the vitality of previously cryopreserved and defrosted Trichocoleus sociatus samples within 45 min by means of their O2‐production. For each run, a cell wet mass of only 0.5 g was required. By application of this method, we could find DMSO (5% v/v) and glycerin (15% v/v) to be the most promising cryoprotectants for the conservation of T. sociatus cells. DMSO and glycerin guaranteed a vitality rate of 80–90% and 60–70% after up to four weeks of cryopreservation, compared to fresh cell material.

Induction of an axenic filamentous-like callus growth from the brown algae Fucus vesiculosus is described. Different treatments were investigated in various combinations to develop axenic cultures based on identification of surface symbionts via 18S ribosomal RNA. Moreover, viability was confirmed after such processes by 2,3,5-triphenyl tetrazolium chloride assay that demonstrated an average viability of 29%, relative to nonsterilized explants. After six weeks of a phototrophic cultivation on artificial sea water-12-nitrilotriacetic acid (0.5% w/v agar), a filamentous-like callus growth was observed, which was identified genetically through its mitochondrial DNA after subculturing. Achievement of confirmed marine callus cultures might enrich old previously established blue biotechnology techniques and open new chances for cultivation of brown algae for production of good manufacturing practice-compliant bioproducts.

Fucoidan is a sulfated polysaccharide with promising pharmacological applications. Due to its medicinal properties, there is a demand for a separation technique that yields a high purification grade. Here, we present a novel purification tool for recovering fucoidan from the marine brown macroalgae Fucus vesiculosus. The developed method is based on amino‐derivatized Sepabeads® EC‐EA. The beads were modified with toluidine blue (TB), a thiazine derivative, to exploit the strong donor acceptor interactions between the cationic dye and the anionic polysaccharide. The adsorption kinetics and the binding capacity of the resin were analyzed. A Sips model was used to approximate the adsorption isotherm, resulting in a maximum capacity of 127.7 mg fucoidan per g adsorbent. Investigation of the effect of adsorption step's pH on purity and chemical structure was performed by TB and Fourier transform infra‐red spectroscopy assays. Results showed that adsorption at pH 1 and 6 had negligible effects on fucoidan's chemical structure. However, purity was actually improved by 1.55‐ and 1.69‐fold at pH 1 and 6, respectively, with an average yield of 5 g/100 g dried algae powder. In contrast, only a 1.46‐fold increment was observed in fucoidan purified by the traditional method at pH 2, with a yield of 7.5 g/100 g dried algae powder. Furthermore, fucoidan purified by this method at pH 6 complies with, or even exceeds the quality of the commercially available (≥95% pure) fucoidan (Sigma‐Aldrich®) with respect to molecular weight and sulfur content. Therefore, dye affinity chromatography provides more advantages than the classically used techniques for fucoidan purification.

For several thousand years, biotechnology and its associated technical processes have had a great impact on the development of mankind. Based on empirical methods, in particular for the production of foodstuffs and daily commodities, these disciplines have become one of the most innovative future issues. Due to the increasing detailed understanding of cellular processes, production strains can now be optimized. In combination with modern bioprocesses, a variety of bulk and fine chemicals as well as pharmaceuticals can be produced efficiently. In this article, some of the current trends in biotechnology are discussed.

BACKGROUND Currently, several techniques exist for the downstream processing of protein, phytic acid and sinapic acid from rapeseed and rapeseed meal, but no technique has been developed to separate all of the components in one process. In this work, two new downstream processing strategies focusing on recovering sinapic acid, phytic acid and protein from rapeseed meal were established. RESULTS The sinapic acid content was enhanced by a factor of 4.5 with one method and 5.1 with the other. The isolation of sinapic acid was accomplished using a zeolite-based adsorbent with high adsorptive and optimal desorption characteristics. Phytic acid was isolated using the anion-exchange resin Purolite A200®. In addition, the processes resulted in two separated protein fractions. The ratios of globulin and albumin ratio to the total protein were 59.2% and 40.1%, respectively. The steps were then combined in two different ways: (a) a ‘sequential process’ using the zeolite and A200 in batch processes; and (b) a ‘parallel process’ using only A200 in a chromatographic system to separate all of the compounds. CONCLUSIONS It can be concluded that isolation of all three components was possible in both processes. These could enhance the added value of current processes using rapeseed meal as a protein source. © 2015 Society of Chemical Industry

Bei der Ferulasaure handelt es sich um einen Wertstoff, der aus Weizen gewonnen und in der Lebensmittel- und Pharmaindustrie eingesetzt werden kann. Der Einsatz von Weizen als nachwachsende Rohstoffquelle ist allerdings nur dann wirtschaftlich durchfuhrbar, wenn eine Prozessintegration in die bestehenden industriellen Verfahren gewahrleistet oder eine direkte Konkurrenz zur Mehl- und Starkeindustrie vermieden werden kann. In diesem Artikel wird ein Verfahren aufgezeigt, welches hohe Ausbeuten ermoglicht und eine Konkurrenz zu bestehenden Verwertungspfaden vermeidet. The application of wheat as a renewable resource for ferulic acid comes along with a high value addition of the crop. Nevertheless, it will only be suitable if process integration in existing industrial processes is possible and competition with other value-adding conversion of the raw material can be avoided. This article shows a new possibility of a downstream process resulting in high yields and without a competition to the flour and starch industry.

In this study, Nocardia iowensis was used to transform oleanolic acid (OA) into oleanane derivatives. The first derivative, which was found after 24 h of cultivation, was the known and already described OA methyl ester. After 1 week, two other derivatives (oleanonic acid methyl ester and an unknown metabolite) were identified as new products of a biotransformation by N. iowensis. These oleanane metabolites were characterized by HPLC, HPLC-ESI-MS, and HPLC-1H NMR spectroscopy. The biotransformation was performed by suspended and immobilized cells (ICs) of N. iowensis. Cells immobilized in alginate beads were used in order to prepare a continuous process. The substrate uptake of free and ICs was similar, whereas the peak area of OA methyl ester of the ICs was only about 10% of the native cells. However, the final product (oleanonic acid methyl ester) concentrations were similar in both approaches, whereas the unknown metabolite 3 was only detected transiently in the medium of ICs. Based on these results, a new biosynthetic pathway for the biotechnological production of oleanonic acid methyl ester is proposed.

Biotechnologie und die mit ihr verbundenen technischen Prozesse pragen seit Jahrtausenden die Entwicklung der Menschheit. Ausgehend von empirischen Verfahren, insbesondere zur Herstellung von Lebensmitteln und taglichen Gebrauchsgutern, haben sich diese Disziplinen zu einem der innovativsten Zukunftsfelder entwickelt. Durch das immer detailliertere Verstandnis zellularer Vorgange konnen mittlerweile Produktionsstamme gezielt optimiert werden. Im Zusammenspiel mit moderner Prozesstechnik konnen so eine Vielzahl von Bulk- und Feinchemikalien sowie Pharmazeutika effizient hergestellt werden. In diesem Artikel werden exemplarisch einige der aktuellen Trends vorgestellt. Since several thousand years, biotechnology and its associated technical processes have great impact on the development of mankind. Based on empirical methods, in particular for the production of foodstuffs and daily commodities, these disciplines have become one of the most innovative future issues. Due to the increasing detailed understanding of cellular processes, production strains can now be optimized. In combination with modern bioprocesses, a variety of bulk and fine chemicals as well as pharmaceuticals can be produced efficiently. In this article, some of the current trends in biotechnology are discussed.

Bei der Gewinnung von Fettsauren aus Pflanzenolen, z. B. zur Herstellung von Biopolymeren, oder bei der Biodiesel- und Seifenproduktion, fallt Glycerin als Nebenprodukt an. Bei der Biokonversion dieses Rohstoffes zu 1,3-Propandiol wird der Produktionsorganismus Clostridium diolis durch Verunreinigungen im Rohglycerin gehemmt. Als inhibierende Substanzen konnten freie Fettsauren identifiziert werden. Mithilfe eines adsorptiven Aufarbeitungsverfahrens ist es gelungen, die Fettsauren zu entfernen und die Konversionseffizienz zu 1,3-Propandiol zu erhohen. During the production of fatty acids from plant oils, e. g. for the production of biopolymers or in the biodiesel and soap production, glycerol accumulates as a side product. Using this residual material with Clostridium diolis for the production of 1,3-propanediole is not efficient, due to inhibitory effects of impurities. Fatty acids have been identified as inhibiting substances. After removal of the residual fatty acids by pretreatment with adsorbents, it has been possible to use this glycerol with high conversion efficiency towards 1,3-propanediole.

Grass silage provides a great potential as renewable feedstock. Two fractions of the grass silage, a press juice and the fiber fraction, were evaluated for their possible use for bioethanol production. Direct production of ethanol from press juice is not possible due to high concentrations of organic acids. For the fiber fraction, alkaline peroxide or enzymatic pretreatment was used, which removes the phenolic acids in the cell wall. In this study, we demonstrate the possibility to integrate the enzymatic pretreatment with a simultaneous saccharification and fermentation to achieve ethanol production from grass silage in a one-process step. Achieved yields were about 53 g ethanol per kg silage with the alkaline peroxide pretreatment and 91 g/kg with the enzymatic pretreatment at concentrations of 8.5 and 14.6 g/L, respectively. Furthermore, it was shown that additional supplementation of the fermentation medium with vitamins, trace elements and nutrient salts is not necessary when the press juice is directly used in the fermentation step.

Biokatalysatoren zur regioselektiven Halogenierung bestimmter Substrate sind mittlerweile verfugbar. Ein Einsatz solcher Halogenasen zur Bereitstellung halogenierter (Zwischen-) Produkte bietet im Vergleich zur klassischen Halogenierung den Vorteil, dass sie weitgehend nebenproduktfrei ablauft und keine toxischen Halogenierungsagentien zur Anwendung kommen. Beispielhaft wird hier die Untersuchung kinetischer Parameter einer Tryptophan-5-Halogenase beschrieben.

Classical energy sources such as petroleum oil and natural gas make up the fundamental materials on which modern industrial chemical parks are based. According to the finite availability of these consuetudinary resources and due to the increasing demand for energy from developing countries and the related rise in prices of oil and natural gas, renewable resources must be considered as valuable alternatives. Discussions about climate change with regard to alternatives in energy production are preceded very fervidly but alternatives have to be examined from a matter-of-fact based economic and scientific point of view. Therefore, this review is focussed on alternative sources such as wood and other agricultural residues with respect to their potential as future energy resources as well as building blocks for chemical synthesis processes.

© 2014 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim www.cit-journal.com CH4 und 40Vol.-% CO2, hat atmospharischen Druck und weist Umgebungstemperatur auf. Das CO2 kann mittels eines Absorptionsverfahrens vom Biogas abgetrennt werden. Diglycolamin (DGA), ein bisher wenig untersuchtes chemisches Absorptionsmittel, bietet gegenuber dem bekannten Monoethanolamin (MEA) den okonomischen Vorteil der geringeren Energiekosten bezuglich Strom und Warme aufgrund der geringeren Absorptionsmittelumlaufraten. CO2-Losungswarme und Warmekapazitat: Eine konzentrierte Losung von 70Ma.-% DGA in Wasser wurde wegen der grosen CO2-Beladungsdifferenz und seiner moderaten Viskositat als Absorptionsmittel in einer Versuchsanlage getestet. Eine Optimierung zwischen dem Flussig/Gas-Verhaltnis und der Sumpfheizer-Leistung fuhrt zu einem energieeffizienten Verfahren. Eine weitere Verringerung des Energieverbrauchs kann durch die Benutzung des Vorheizers zur Einleitung der Desorption und des Sumpfheizers zur Vervollstandigung erzielt werden. Ferner ist das abgetrennte CO2 mit einer Reinheit von uber 99,9 Vol.-% ein wertvolles Nebenprodukt.

gung von Stammen mit modifiziertemProduktspektrum oder erhohter Produk-tivitat ausgewahlt werden. Auserdemwurde eine Lipase-katalysierte Struktur-modifizierung untersucht und MEL-Strukturen mit hoherer Polaritat herge-stellt. Die entwickelten Prozesse sollenam Chemisch-Biotechnologischen Pro-zesszentrum CBP Leuna hochskaliertwerden.Diese Arbeit wurde innerhalb desERA-IB-Projekts „Biosurf-Novel Produc-tion Strategies for Biosurfactants“ gefor-dert, vertreten durch das BMBF unterLeitung des Fraunhofer IGB. Zudem er-folgte die Finanzierung uber ein Dokto-randenstipendium der Deutschen Bun-desstiftung Umwelt.

Mit Start zum Wintersemester 2011/12 wird an der TU Kaiserslautern gemeinsam von den Fachbereichen Chemie und Maschinenbau/Verfahrenstechnik der interdisziplinare Studiengang Bio- und Chemieingenieurwissenschaften (BCI) angeboten. Der Studiengang verbindet die Natur- und Ingenieurwissenschaften, wobei der Fokus auf die Chemie und die (Bio-) Verfahrenstechnik ausgerichtet ist.