Das Lehrgebiet BioVT publiziert zusammen mit der RWTH Aachen (AK Blank) in der Zeitschrift Bioresource Technology eine Studie zur Produktion von Itaconsäure aus Biertreber.

Brewers’ spent grain (BSG) is produced worldwide in millions of tons during the beer brewing process. Due to its high content of structural carbohydrates, BSG is a promising material for being valorised in biorefineries. In this study three process routes for producing itaconate from BSG hydrolysates are presented using the previously engineered smut fungi Ustilago maydis MB215Δcyp3ΔPria1::Petef as whole-cell biocatalyst. Using a fermentation medium based on BSG hydrolysate a yield of 0.38 g_Ita/g_Sugar and a productivity of 0.11 g_Ita/(L·h) were achieved. The addition of detoxified hydrothermal supernatant to the fermentation medium did not result in improved performance parameters but resulted in a decreased yield (0.29 gIta/gSugar) and productivity (0.053 g_Ita/(L·h)). Simultaneous saccharification and fermentation with hydrothermal pretreated BSG is possible, although at lower rate. In summary, the valorisation of BSG in fungal fermentations might complement the end-of-life options of this industrial side product.

J. Weiermüller, A. Akermann, W. Laudensack, J. Chodorski, L.M. Blank, R. Ulber; Brewers’ spent grain as carbon source for itaconate production with engineered Ustilago maydis; Bioresource Technology (2021) https://doi.org/10.1016/j.biortech.2021.125262