Aromatic Monomers

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Background: Aromatic monomers are important precursors to valuable industrial chemicals, pharmaceuticals, biofuels, and other applications. They are typically generated through various types of catalysis in industrial, chemical-based facilities. Selective monomer hydroxylation could convert these precursors to valuable feedstock for these and many other applications.    Technology: Inventors at Georgia Tech are using a natural enzyme, specifically a pterin-dependent aromatic amino acid mono-oxygenase in vivo in hopes of modifying lignin monomers. The purpose is to develop hydroxylation processes for use on lignin based aromatic monomers that could eventually be applied at the industrial level.  In nature, this enzyme hydrolyzes amino acids with structural similarity to relevant lignin monomers.  Pterin, a complex compound, acts as a cofactor in the reaction. Inventors believe that this enzyme could successfully modify at least two lignin-derived aromatic monomers, including the hydrolyzation of vanillin to produce a higher value intermediate, vanillic acid.  This invention could provide a valid route to biologically modifying lignin related aromatic monomers into feedstock for a wide variety of industrial applications. Researchers continue to explore this process and other potential monomers to determine the specificity of the reaction and the corresponding active site.    Potential Commercial Applications:  This invention would provide an abundance of low cost, high value intermediates in the form of hydroxylated aromatic monomers, with minimal waste and environmentally sound, readily replenished supply of active reagent in the form of the enzyme.  Hydroxylated aromatic monomers are used in many industries, from pharmaceuticals and fuels to food based industries, including flavors and aromas. This process could provide feedstock for plastics, fuel alternatives, agricultural chemicals, resins, and pharmaceuticals in an environmentally friendly, sustainable manner.   Benefits/Advantages: Could provide substantial high value intermediates for many industrial pathways to fuels, pharmaceuticals, components used in foods and other aromatic-based feedstocks Enzymatic catalysis is more energy efficient, yields less (industrial type) waste than chemically based methods Higher level of precision than (most) chemical reactions In its most likely applications, the process may be renewable