SHIKIMAX: biotechnological production of aromatics
The benefits
In short- Aromatics produced through Shikimate pathway
- Glycerol as carbon source
- Very high yields
- Patented technology
Microbes have a natural pathway of aromatic production: the Shikimate pathway. However, this pathway is highly regulated, limiting the amount of carbon directed to aromatic production, making it difficult to achieve economically viable yields. Until now: we have a promising technology available for licensing that gives very high yields.
About our tech offer
The chemical industry faces increasing pressure to adopt more sustainable practices to reduce its environmental footprint. Microbial production of key chemical building blocks, such as aromatics, can offer a biobased alternative. At WUR, we have developed SHIKIMAX: a platform method to use the Shikimate natural pathway to produce these aromatics with biotechnology. Specifically, a bacterial strain was developed that uses this pathway as its primary catabolic route. This was found to be very effective, resulting in the highest yields ever reported for the Shikimate pathway.
More information
Potential aromatics that can (potentially) be produced include 3-hydroxybenzoate, 4-hydroxybenzoate, salicylate, anthranilate and para-aminobenzoate, which can all function as precursors to other aromatics. Applications of these aromatics and their products include:
- Aspirin production from salicylate
- Fragrances (e.g. with vanillin or anisole)
- Food additives (e.g. 4-hydroxybenzoate, anthranilate, vanillin)
And other applications can be found across agrochemicals, pharmaceuticals, dyes, polymers, cosmetics, adhesives and antimicrobial products.
The technology is at TRL 3-4 and a patent application has been filed. The effectiveness of SHIKIMAX has been demonstrated in the laboratory with the industrial bacterial host Psuedomonas putida (P. Putida) for the production of salicylate, 4-hydroxybenzoate and 3-hydroxybenzoate, all of which are key aromatic precursor molecules for various industrial applications. Further productivity optimalisation is in progress. Wageningen University & Research offers technical expertise to support further development and application.
What makes our platform technology unique?
Inexpensive growth medium
The strain requires only glycerol as a carbon source, eliminating the need of expensive supplemental amino acid sources in the growth medium.
High yields
For one aromatic target, yields were reported of up to 81.2% carbon yield, which is 2.3x higher than that of the next best reported bacterial strain.
Biobased solution
Our bacterial strain uses a biobased alternative to synthetic aromatics.
Wide range
Our bacterial strain can potentially produce a wide range of aromatics like 3-hydroxybenzoate, which can also function as precursors to yet more aromatics.
Get in touch
Interested in our tech offer? Contact our expert.
Technology licensing
Learn more about technology licensing at WUR, including the licensing process and options for collaboration.
