Sustainable production of polymer and protease from dairy waste

Overview

The innovative solution leverages engineered Bacillus subtilis to transform whey permeate (WP), a byproduct of dairy processing, into valuable compounds: poly-gamma glutamic acid (γ-PGA) and subtilisin. γ-PGA is a versatile polymer with applications in cosmetics, dietary supplements, and more, while subtilisin is a protease widely used in cleaning products and pharmaceuticals. This dual-production approach not only valorizes underutilized dairy waste but also introduces a sustainable bioprocessing method that can significantly benefit industries seeking eco-friendly alternatives.

Technical specifications

Our research focuses on genetically optimizing Bacillus subtilis to enhance the production of γ-PGA and subtilisin from WP. Key advancements include:

• Doubling γ-PGA production with reduced glutamate requirements.
• Enhanced subtilisin yield through genetic manipulation.
• Use of dairy wastewater as a medium, targeting improved lactose consumption.
• Process optimization at a laboratory scale (0.5 L) and planned scale-up to 50-100 L in a bioreactor/filtration system.
• Employment of diverse analytic methods like HPLC and spectrophotometric assays for product quantification and medium characterization.

Technology readiness level

The current development stage is at a Technology Readiness Level (TRL) 3, indicating experimental proof of concept. Ongoing efforts are focused on optimizing genetic strains and scaling up the bioprocess to increase production efficiency and economic viability.