Synthesis of Glycolipids (GLs)

GLs consist of a hydrophilic sugar portion and a hydrophobic fatty acid tail. The variability of the fatty acids in tails leads to the diversity of GL species. It is an excellent surfactant with good emulsifying properties. It is non-toxic to the environment and biodegradable. Due to its odorlessness, tastelessness, and lack of irritation, GLs are widely used as emulsifiers in cosmetics. It has been found that GLs have some antiviral activity and may be a potential antitumor agent.

A large number of studies show that GLs exhibit great functionality and applications with high commercial value. Efficient methods for GL synthesis are a prerequisite for the commercial application of GLs. Stable and efficient synthesis, isolation and purification methods need to be developed. Currently, GLs can be synthesized by chemical methods, enzymatic, or microbial fermentation synthesis. Among them, microbial fermentation manufacturing has been widely used for the commercial synthesis of GLs. Enzymatic synthesis is mainly used to obtain specific GLs.

Fig.1 Synthesis pathway of GL. (Jala, et al., 2022)

Services Have a Beginning But no End

CD BioGlyco has green, efficient, and environmentally friendly GL manufacturing processes, and strives to provide customers with a complete one-stop service for GL synthesis. Our GL manufacturing services include the following:

• GL production services

We synthesize GLs by microbial fermentation, chemical, and enzymatic methods.

• Microbial Fermentation-based Glycolipid Manufacture Service

GLs can be obtained by microbial fermentation and isolation (extraction, distillation, or precipitation). CD BioGlyco uses green raw materials for fabrication, and the microbial fermentation process is at the world's advanced level. Currently, the microbial fermentation process is also commercially used for sophorolipid (SL), rhamnolipid (RL), and mannosylerythritol lipid (MEL). Rare GLs can be obtained through microbial fermentation. Through our continuous optimization, we improve the overall process and minimize waste generation. Our microbial fermentation process is well established.

GLs from natural fermentation have limited biological activity. Therefore, GL surfactants with modified functionality can be obtained by further enzymatic or chemical processing. Enzymatic or chemical modifications can be used to obtain new GL derivatives with different properties and structures to enhance the biological activity of GLs. We also provide services for enzymatic and chemical modification of GLs.

• Chemical Synthesis-based Glycolipid Manufacture Service

GL compounds with different properties are produced. For example, APGs are produced by Fischer glycosylation (direct synthesis or transacetylation). Chemical synthesis allows for mixtures of glycolipids containing a variety of properties. CD BioGlyco synthesizes various types of glycolipids through a multistage chemical process.

• Enzymatic Synthesis-based Glycolipid Manufacture Service

Enzymatic synthesis allows regionally selective synthesis of glycolipids. This approach offers the possibility to develop new glycolipids with specific properties and applications. CD BioGlyco aims to develop different enzymatic synthesis processes according to customer requirements. We synthesize GLs by using lipase or β-glucosidase. We synthesize different GLs by screening suitable enzymes, solvents, and substrates (sugars and fatty acids).

• SL and RL manufacture service

Currently, the most produced and applied GLs in the industry are SL and RL. In addition to optimizing the production of GLs, we comparatively screen the best separation and purification methods to obtain high-purity GLs. CD BioGlyco has an efficient extraction process and a stable supply chain for RL and SL. We offer SL and RL in kilogram quantities.

Fig.2 One-Stop GL Synthesis Service. (CD BioGlyco)

Applications

• GL synthesis technology is used to synthesize GLs with specific structures and functions. Their relevance to cancer, metabolic diseases, etc. can be studied.
• GL modification technology is used to synthesize modified GLs, which have an important role in drug development for anti-cancer, anti-viral, etc.
• GL modification technology is used to modify natural or synthetic GLs. Researchers can use the newly modified GLs to study their effects on oil repellency, soil remediation, etc.

Advantages

• Our GL production process is environmentally friendly and quality-controlled according to strict standards. No unwanted compounds are added to all processes.
• We have developed a variety of GL synthesis and modification methods to meet various needs. It helps researchers to develop the application of GL in environmental protection, medicine, agriculture, and so on.
• We specialize in various reactions. Our chemical and enzymatic GL synthesis technologies enable customized synthesis of GL with different properties, which helps scientists explore its applications in different ways.

CD BioGlyco is a world leader in GL synthesis. We have a specialized research team responsible for developing novel GLs with specific functions. In addition to our GL manufacturing services, we also offer Technologies for Polysaccharide Manufacture and Technologies for Carbohydrate Derivative Manufacture. If you would like to learn more about GL synthesis, please contact us. We will be happy to assist you in your endeavor.

• Rhamnolipid Manufacture Service
• Sophorolipid Manufacture Service
• Microbial Fermentation-based Glycolipid Manufacture Service
• Chemical Synthesis-based Glycolipid Manufacture Service
• Enzymatic Synthesis-based Glycolipid Manufacture Service