Development of a Cost-Effective Method to Control Bacterial Contamination of Biofuel Ethanol Fermentation Using Lytic Enzymes

This application describes research to further advance an innovative algal-based productionsystem for the manufacture of a suite of novel biobased ingredients for sustainable andenvironmentally advantaged skin care products. Specifically we propose the mass cultivation ofgenetically enhanced photosynthetic algae (cyanobacteria) in specialized photobioreactors(PBRs) to produce mycosporine-like amino acids (MAAs) which provide several benefits whenincluded in skin care products including UV protection antioxidant and anti-inflammationproperties. MAAs are intended to replace certain chemically synthesized UV-filteringcompounds (e.g. oxybenzone) that are being outlawed in certain areas of the world due to theirnegative impacts on aquatic organisms. The primary project goal is to maximize the productivityof MAAs (e.g. shinorine and porphyra-334) from Algenol's existing genetically enhanced algaethrough growth medium and CO2 supply optimization along with cultivation modemodifications (semi-continuous versus batch etc.). Initial cultivations will be in specializedlaboratory PBRs and the most promising cultivation practices will then be confirmed inAlgenol's patented outdoor 100-300 L "VIPER" PBRs. We will also develop preliminarydownstream methods to recover secreted MAAs from the algal cultures using scalable filtration- based technologies. Results from these activities will provide data for a preliminary techno- economic analysis and will provide a solid foundation for additional progress toward theagriculture-based production of commercially relevant MAA products in a subsequent Phase IISBIR project. This application directly addresses the USDA NIFA priority areas involving newnon-food biobased products from new industrial crops and new agriculture-based processes forthe manufacture of industrial products.