Kao's biotechnology
Base on the detergent enzyme technology that we have developed over more than 30 years, we use the power of bio to realize "Yoki-Monozukuri" that is friendly to the global environment.
To realize a Kirei World in which all life lives in harmony
Saccharification enzyme technology
Bioethanol utilizing biomass as a renewable plant-based resource is in focus today from the viewpoint of achieving carbon neutrality. But biomass must be broken down to ready it for use, and enzymes are essential for this process. While non-edible biomass generally cannot be broken down easily, Kao has conducted research into enzymes capable of efficiently breaking down non-edible biomass because this raw material, which does not compete with edible foodstuffs and is gentle to the environment, is generally seen as a valuable, sustainable resource.
Non-edible biomass and role of saccharification enzyme
Cellulose plays a role in supporting the plant body and maintains its structure, so it has a strong crystalline structure and is difficult to be decomposed. Saccharification enzyme can break down this strong structure into sugar.
Edible biomass
Edible materials
e.g.) corn, sugar cane
Mostly consists of
sugar and starch
Sugar can be used directly. Starch is structurally easy to be broken down.
Non-edible biomass
Non-edible materials
e.g.) agricultural residues, wood resources, herbaceous plants
Mostly consists of
cellulose
Cellulose forms strong structure that contributes to the overall structural integrity of the plant.
Role of saccharification enzyme
Saccharification enzyme break down cellulose which has a strong crystalline structure into sugars.
Optimization of saccharification enzyme corresponding to raw materials source
Using the saccharification enzyme-producing strain Trichoderma reesei, we have the optimized saccharification enzyme design and development technology for various non-edible biomass such as cassava residue, wood pulp, sugar cane bagasse, fruit pomace and so on.
If you have any questions or require additional information about Kao bio business, please use the form below.
Bioaromatic compound production technology
Fermentative production, which utilizes the microorganisms' feature to produce substances within their bodies to create specific components, is considered a production method that has less environmental impact because it generally emits less CO2 emissions than conventional manufacturing processes. However, despite the high industrial value of aromatic compounds, which are one of the industrial chemical raw materials, there are limited examples of commercial production by fermentative production due to the difficulty to control the complexity of metabolic pathways within microorganisms. Kao has successfully established industrial scale production process for the aromatic compound, gallic acid, using coryneform bacteria, developed on the knowledge gained from achievements on the production of enzymes for detergents by microorganisms technology for fermentative production. Kao will continue to develop fermentation production of aromatic compounds useful in industry.
Production of aromatic compounds from biomass
Aromatic compounds are mainly produced through mass chemical synthesis from petrochemicals or extraction from plants. To address these issues, Kao is investigating the production of aromatic compounds using fermentative production technology based on sugar, a sustainable raw material.
Coryneform bacterium-based production technology
Kao is able to develop microorganisms that produce the target compound with high efficiency by using GenaExpress technology, which was introduced from a biotech venture, and by designing a synthetic metabolic pathway.
If you have any questions or require additional information about Kao bio aromatic compounds, please use the form below.
