Biodiesel production, 1,3-propanediol

A spin-off effect of the recent enormous increase in biodiesel production is that the coproduct, glycerol, has become a low-priced commodity chemical. Consequently, there is currently considerable interest in finding new applications of glycerol [204]. One possibility is to use glycerol as the feedstock for fermentative production of 1,3-propanediol (see earlier). 

Mu Y, Xiu ZL, Zhang DJ. (2008). A combined bioprocess of biodiesel production by lipase with microbial production of 1,3-propanediol by Klebsiella pneumoniae. Biochem Eng J, 40, 537-541. 

Biomass-based alcohols could also be employed directly as substrates in N-alkylation reactions, making the hydrogen autotransfer method more practical. In 2011, Martin-Matute and co-workers reported a [Cp IrCl2]2-catalyzed method for synthesis of secondary aminosugars from primary aminosugars with simple alcohols and primary carbohydrate alcohols (Eq. 20) [106]. In 2009, Stephens, Marr and coworkers reported that a one-pot bio- and chemo-catalytic process could be used for direct conversion of crude glycerol from biodiesel production to valuable secondary amines in a biphasic system without intermediate separation of 1,3-propanediol... 

The study of microbial production of 1,3-propanediol has an interesting history (reviewed by Biebl et al. 1999). It is one of the oldest fermentation products known and has been studied for over 100 years. For a number of years, interest in the fermentation was due to its potential as an outlet for surplus glycerol. Glycerol can be made via a chemical process, or it can be derived from various agricultural fats during the production of fatty acids and soaps. Increased availability of low-cost glycerol might be expected in the future, as it is a by-product of such processes as transesterification of fats for biodiesel production as well as the process for ethanol production by yeast. 

A focus area for this meeting was a discussion of new approaches to life cycle analyses of biobased processes is described in three papers. Anex reports an evaluation of processes for the production of 1,3-propanediol. Niederl describes an analysis of biodiesel production from tallow, while the paper from Bohimann reports on life cycle issues surrounding polyhydroxylalkanoate production. 

Glycerol is a by-product of the biodiesel production 1 ton biodiesel production produces 100 kg of glycerol. Glycerol is a 1.2.3-triol that is used in personal care and pharmaceutical products and as feed additive, but there are also a variety of derived chemicals such as propanediols (monomers in polyester and polyurethane materials), oUgoglycerols (cosmetics and biodegradable lubricants), epichlorohydrin (polymers), and glycerol carbonate (solvent). 

Biomass is a renewable resource from which various useful chemicals and fuels can be produced. Glycerol, obtained as a co-product of the transesterification of vegetable oils to produce biodiesel, is a potential building block to be processed in biorefineries (1,2). Attention has been recently paid to the conversion of glycerol to chemicals, such as propanediols (3, 4), acrolein (5, 6), or glyceric acid (7, 8). 

Xu YZ, Liu HJ, Du W, Sun Y, Ou XJ, Liu DH (2009) Integrated production for biodiesel and 1,3-propanediol with Upase-catalyzed transesterification and fermentation. Biotechnol Lett... 

Chatzifragkou A, Papanikolaou S, Dietz D, Doulgeraki Al, Nychas GJE, Zeng AP. (2011). Production of 1,3-propanediol by Glostridhon butyricum growing on biodiesel-derived crude glycerol through a non-sterilized fermentation process. Appl Microbiol Biotechnol, 91,101-112. 

Mu Y, Teng H, Zhang DJ, Wang W, Xiu ZL. (2006). Microbial production of 1,3-propanediol by Klebsiella pneumoniae using crude glycerol from biodiesel preparations. Biotechnol Lett, 28, 1755-1759. 

The monomers used in the polycondensation reaction for the production of poly(alkylene dicarboxylate)s are basically from petrochemical sources. However, some of them can be obtained from renewable sources. For example, 1,3-propanediol can be produced by fermentation of glycerol, which is a by-product from biodiesel or plant oil production. Succinic acid can be synthesized from glucose or whey by bacterial fermentation in very high yields. ... 

Moon, C., Ahn, J., Kim, S.W., et al., 2010. Effect of biodiesel-derived raw glycerol on 1,3-propanediol production by different microorganisms. AppHed Biochemistry and Biotechnology 161, 502-510. 

Papanikolaou, S., Fakas, S., Fick, M., et al., 2008. Biotechnological valorisation of raw glycerol discharged after biodiesel (fatty acid methyl esters) manufecturing process production of 1,3-propanediol, citric acid and single cell oil. Biomass and Bioenergy 32,60-71. 

Chatzifragkou, A., Papanikolaou, S., Kopsahelis, N., Kachrimanidou, V., Dorado, M.P., Koutinas, AA., 2014. Bio-refinery development through utilization of biodiesel industry by-products as sole fermentation feedstock for 1,3-propanediol production. Bioresource Technology 159,167-175. 

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