System Development/Field Test/ Commercialization

Enzymatic interesterification for producing edible fats and oils that contain no trans fatty acids. Archer Daniels Midland Company and Novozymes have created enzymatic interesterification to replace chemical interestification processes. Trans fatty acids are a strong risk factor for heart disease. Trans fatty acids are formed during the hydrogenation process and are found in high concentrations in various foods. Interesterification is the most effective way to decrease trans fat content in food without adversely manipulating it.

Uses waste coffee pulp and skin to create dense, nutritional flour. Every year, the global coffee industry generates 46 billion pounds of coffee cherry byproduct. The waste is then sent to landfills that emit 16.6 million metric tons of CO2. To combat this problem, this company uses coffee pulp and skin waste to make flour. This flour is nutrient-dense as it's high in fiber and mineral content (calcium, iron, zinc, and antioxidants). By reducing fruit decaying in fields, this process reduces the emission of greenhouse gases. The company claims this process resulted in 280,702 lbs.

Creates products through technologies derived from yeast production and focuses on yeast-related biotechnology applications and research. Oriental Yeast Company produces recombinant enzymes, recombinant human proteins, coenzymes, and substrates to improve crop yields, develop vaccines, and also offer customized dough improvers. Customizing dough for each client allows clients to maximize food quality while lowering costs and ingredient waste. Some of Oriental Yeast Company's coenzymes are used in manufacturing of Active Pharmaceutical Ingredients (API) through biocatalysis. 

Engineered growth factors for cultured meat production. Enantis engineers high-performance proteins and enzymes. One of their main areas of expertise is the development of cost-effective growth factors specifically designed for cultured meat production. Cultured meat is genuine meat but lab-grown by cultivating animal cells. With this process, the industry can replicate real meat's sensory and nutritional profiles while avoiding the environmental and animal welfare impacts of traditional meat production.

One-step, environmentally friendly process for the synthesis of solid oxide catalysts. The conventional production of catalysts requires acid-base precipitation with a metal nitrate, producing large volumes of nitrate and halogenated waste and emitting NOx and SOx gases. The extraction of nitrate and other salts generates large volumes of wastewater. This novel synthetic process eliminates aqueous and nitrate waste by using an organic acid, a pure metal, and an oxidizing agent that is usually air.

High-power ultrasonic homogenizers. Ultrasonic power is an effective and energy-efficient alternative to high-shear mixers, high-pressure homogenizers, and agitated bead mills. It is used to apply high shear and intense stress to liquids, powder-liquid mixtures, and slurries. This device is used for mixing, dispersing, particle size reduction, extraction, and chemical reactions. This extraction process generates no impurities or hazardous chemicals. Liquid regeneration also allows for prolonged use of cleaning liquids.

Medical sterilization of sensitive tissues using supercritical carbon dioxide, peracetic acid, and water. Traditional sterilization techniques, such as ethylene oxide and gamma radiation, eliminate bacteria and bacterial endospores while causing severe damage to the tissue. Ethylene oxide can cause mutations and cancer, and gamma radiation can penetrate and damage cells. This process serves as an alternative method to sterilization. Supercritical carbon dioxide is easily available, inexpensive, non-toxic, and ensures gentle treatment of the product.

Continually improving products by using ingredients that are better for human health and the environment. This company measures the environmental and health impacts of each of its products. These products are used in home cleaning, personal care, and insect control. Greenlist™ provides seven criteria to rate chemical parameters, such as vapor pressure, octanol/water partition coefficient, biodegradability, aquatic toxicity, human toxicity, European Union Classification, and source/supply.

Pulp and paper enzymes. MetZyme® is a family of enzymatic solutions for all lignin-based biomass applications. These enzymes treat and enhance reused pulp, allowing clients to substitute virgin fiber with recycled fiber (RCF). Products made from RCF require less energy and chemicals to produce. MetZyme® PUREECO™ enzyme process lignocellulosic feedstock to create sustainable and renewably-sourced chemical building blocks for bioplastics, sorbitol, xylitol, furfural, 5-HMF, FDCA, organic acids, and other technologies that support biofuels. Lignin is often treated as waste and burned.