To develop microbial strains and fermentation processes for glucosamine and NAG production, BTR scientists overcame several technical challenges such as feedback inhibition, product degradation and product toxicity of pathway intermediates. The technology was developed in a very short timeline (Figure 10). BTR is currently working with a commercial manufacturing partner to bring high-quality, low-cost glucosamine and NAG to consumers worldwide.
Figure 10. Technology Development Time Line
- Phase I
- Metabolic engineering feasibility
- Generation of improved GlmS enzyme
- Phase II
- Glucosamine process improvement
- Identification of the key problem: glucosamine degradation
- Concept of NAG fermentation
- Phase III
- Modification of the pathway for NAG production
- Development of a high-performance NAG process