Mikrobiologische Eiweißgewinnung aus Kohlenwasserstoffen

Abstract

Originally carbohydrates were used as carbon source for the biological protein synthesis. In western countries this possibility of foodstuff production is of little economical importance.
Recently the protein production from hydrocarbons with yeast and bacteria has become increasingly important. The biological deparaffination results not only in a reduction of the melting point in kerosene, fuel oil and diesel oil, but also supplies at the same time protein valuable for the physiology of nutrition. Apart from data on the characteristics of the growth of yeast in hydrocarbons three examples are quoted (chain length, solubility and constitution) which cause substrate specifity effects. Very high yields (up to 100%) can be obtained on n-alkanes. The O₂ consumption is about 3 times that of hydrocarbons. The degradation normally occurs starting from the one end of the carbon chain (monoterminal attack). Biterminal oxidation is however possible; the resulting dicarbonic acids are subjected to the beta attack as with the degradation of fatty acids. Cells from hydrocarbons do not in principle differ from organisms from carbohydrates, but the content of protein and lipids alter according to substrate and O₂ supply.
In the last chapter the three technological problems of cultivation, separation and improvement are treated. The cultivation aspires above all to an improvement of efficiency. The complete separation of the unused hydrocarbons requires a great display, as these substances are located internally and externally of the cells. The improvement finally, aims at the direct utilisation of this protein also for human requirements. Beside the protein synthesis there are tendencies today to produce amino acids or other products from pure hydrocarbons.
The microbiological utilisation of the hydrocarbons will become increasingly important in future.