carbon conserving microbial production of adipic acid from sugars and crude glycerol feedstocks

Traditionally, adipic acid is manufactured from the petrochemical feedstocks benzene and cyclohexane via a two-step oxidation process with nitric acid. Nitric acid oxidation produces significant quantities of nitrous oxide (N2O), a GHG regulated due to its contribution to global warming and ozone depletion. Thus current methods for production of widely-used chemicals such as adipic acid form petroleum-derived sources are unsustainable and environmentally unfriendly. Developing methods that enable high- yield synthesis of adipic acid from renewable feedstocks, with better economics, smaller environmental footprints, and greater sustainability than existing petroleum-based processes are greatly desirable. This Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Phase I project focuses on the development of a novel biosynthetic pathway for the high-yield, and environmentally benign production of adipic acid from renewable sources such as biomass-derived sugars and intermediates. For this SBIR Phase I project we will focus on demonstrating successful in vivo synthesis of adipic acid via the novel pathway. This involves 1) Identification and biochemical validation of enzymes catalyzing the individual steps in the proposed adipic acid pathway 2) In vivo adipic acid pathway validation. The proposed adipic acid pathway if successfully commercialized will enable environmentally benign industrial production of bio-based adipic acid that will be significantly less expensive than its petroleum derived counterpart. This will afford increased profitability for the chemical industry, offer cost-savings to consumers on everyday products made from adipic acid such as carpets, airbags, apparel and many other nylon fiber products, reduce GHG emissions, and promote environmentally sustainable manufacturing practices. Bio-based production of this traditionally petroleum-derived chemical will also foster energy security and independence in the US (by reducing oil imports) and afford an additional revenue generation option for the agricultural community, while creating new jobs in an environmentally sustainable and socially beneficial way.