SBIR Phase I: Manufacturing of Natural Isoeugenol and Ferulate from non-food biomass as a precursor to biobased vanillin.

Information

  • NSF Award
  • 1647923
Owner
  • Award Id
    1647923
  • Award Effective Date
    12/1/2016 - 8 years ago
  • Award Expiration Date
    11/30/2017 - 7 years ago
  • Award Amount
    $ 224,992.00
  • Award Instrument
    Standard Grant

SBIR Phase I: Manufacturing of Natural Isoeugenol and Ferulate from non-food biomass as a precursor to biobased vanillin.

The broader impact/commercial potential of this Small Business Innovative Research Phase I project is the development of a process for the sustainable production of high value chemicals (HVCs) from non-food biomass. The resulting HVCs, isoeugenol and ferulate, are the starting materials used in the flavor and fragrance industry for the manufacture of natural vanillin. Today, only a small percentage of the 18,000 metric tons of vanillin used annually is produced from natural sources. The clear majority of vanillin is produced by harsh chemical derivatization of petroleum feedstock. Using the innovative technology developed by Spero Energy, Inc., non-food biomass can be used to produce the starting materials for natural vanillin production. Sustainable manufacturing of natural isoeugenol and ferulate from non-food biomass will serve to advance the US bioeconomy while supplying essential starting materials to the $600 million a year and growing vanillin industry.<br/><br/>The technical objectives of this Small Business Innovation Research Phase I project are to demonstrate the scalability of Spero?s technology for production of natural isoeugenol and ferulate from non-food biomass. Increasing consumer demand for products containing natural flavors and fragrances, and the associated premium prices relative to artificial alternatives, offers a promising venue to advance the US bioeconomy. Spero Energy, Inc. has developed natural and sustainable methods to produce isoeugenol and ferulate, key starting materials for the synthesis of natural vanillin. Vanillin is one of the most widely utilized flavors with a market value of over $600 million per year. Key research objectives include scaling production volumes of ferulate and isoeugenol, followed by a detailed study of purification methods, biochemical conversion to natural vanillin, and validation of the organoleptic properties of the resulting vanillin. This work is anticipated to yield key reaction and purification data which will be analyzed with ASPEN modeling in preparation for pilot scale production in Phase II.

  • Program Officer
    Prakash Balan
  • Min Amd Letter Date
    12/10/2016 - 8 years ago
  • Max Amd Letter Date
    12/10/2016 - 8 years ago
  • ARRA Amount

Institutions

  • Name
    Spero Energy, Inc.
  • City
    Thousand Oaks
  • State
    CA
  • Country
    United States
  • Address
    1176 Tourmaline Dr.
  • Postal Code
    913201207
  • Phone Number
    7654303266

Investigators

  • First Name
    Ian
  • Last Name
    Klein
  • Email Address
    iklein@speroenergy.com
  • Start Date
    12/10/2016 12:00:00 AM

Program Element

  • Text
    SMALL BUSINESS PHASE I
  • Code
    5371

Program Reference

  • Text
    SMALL BUSINESS PHASE I
  • Code
    5371
  • Text
    Chemical Technology
  • Code
    8030