The research team has developed eco-friendly microbiological chemical process that can replace existing high-temperature and high-pressure chemical processes. (image: Korea Bizwire)
SEOUL, Jan. 15 (Korea Bizwire) — The Korea Research Institute of Bioscience and Biotechnology (KRIBB) said Tuesday that it has developed a technology to produce sebacic acid, a common component of cosmetics and other products, in an eco-friendly method.
Sebacic acid is a dicarboxylic acid, made up of 10 carbon, and is used in the chemical industry as a plasticizer and for its antifriction properties, and for the production of plastic and cosmetics.
It is produced through the pyrolysis of castor oil, which is a vegetable oil. However, there have been concerns that it can cause environmental damage as its byproduct is waste water that includes sodium sulfate.
The research team has developed eco-friendly microbiological chemical process that can replace existing high-temperature and high-pressure chemical processes.
Through genetic manipulation of microbial strains, the research team explained that it has enhanced the production capacity of sebacic acid that can be obtained from plant fatty acids.
Furthermore, the research team was able to develop a process to separate and purify sebacic acid produced at high purity and increased production yield by 98 percent.
“We demonstrated the development process on a small scale,” said Dr. Ahn Jung-oh at the KRIBB, who led the research team. “We expect that production will be the world’s best and contribute to the development of bio-plastics.”
D. M. Park (dmpark@koreabizwire.com)
