Optimising fungi for biorefining high value chemicals from industrial biowaste
The BDC is working with a small company, Citration Technology Ltd, to convert industrial waste streams into valuable chemicals using the fungus, Aspergillus niger.
Growing Aspergillus niger on bioprocessing waste streams
Aspergillus is a versatile micro-organism which has been used in industrial fermentation for many years including in production of citric acid from sugar. Importantly, Aspergillus is able to grow on a range of substrates commonly found in waste streams from bioprocessing industries.
Dr Alexander McAvoy, an industrial fermentation specialist working for Citration Technology Ltd, is collaborating with Prof Simon McQueen Mason & Dr Jamie Wood at the University of York using the BDC’s open access facilities. With the help of the complete genetic sequence and metabolic models of a well understood strain of Aspergillus, the researchers will identify promising routes for the production of commercially attractive industrial chemicals.
In parallel to the in silico work, the researchers will treat a strain of Aspergillus to increase its genetic diversity and then select lines better adapted to growth on target feedstocks. Preliminary studies of gene expression using the BDC genomics platform will provide an initial indication of the micro-organism’s metabolic response to these substrates.
The project exemplifies the need to integrate chemical engineering expertise with modern genetic technology for development of biorefining and the low carbon bio-economy of the future.
The project receives support from the BBSRC Industry Interchange Programme, The European Regional Development Fund and the Department of Business Innovation and Skills.
Let's work together
We have worked on 1,500 bio-based projects to date
We have several ways to work with us, including business advisory programmes and self-funded commercial options. We even have the option for you to hire our state-of-the-art laboratory equipment and office space.
