Chemical Engineering & Technology · 2008 · 672 citations · 56 references
Life SciencesBiotechnologyChemical EngineeringBioprocess EngineeringPolymer ChemistryPolymer EngineeringBiodegradable PolymersBioplastic ProductionBiopolymer ProductionMicrobial BiopolymersPolymer ProductionRenewable Feedstock UtilizationBiobased Platform ChemicalsBiopolymer FermentationGreen PolyestersMaterial ConversionPlatform Chemicals ProductionSuccinic Acid FermentationSuccinic Acid Production
Succinic acid is a promising renewable platform chemical, yet industrial processes using fermentation‑derived succinic acid are not yet state‑of‑the‑art and require further improvements for economic viability. The study presents advances in biotechnological production of succinic acid. The authors review chemical conversion pathways to γ‑butyrolactone, tetrahydrofuran, 1,4‑butanediole, and pyrrolidones, and outline potential new biopolymers such as polyesters, polyamides, and poly(ester‑amide)s derived from succinic acid.
Abstract Succinic acid is predicted to be one of the future platform chemicals that can be derived from renewable resources. The improvements in biotechnological succinic acid production are presented. Chemical conversion pathways to γ‐butyrolactone, tetrahydrofuran, 1,4‐butanediole, and pyrrolidones are reviewed. An overview of possible new biopolymers (e. g. polyesters, polyamides, and poly(ester amide)s) based on succinic acid and its derivatives is given. Nevertheless, industrial processes using purified succinic acid from fermentation broths are not state of the art yet. Further improvements are needed until succinic acid‐based chemical production will be economically favorable.
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