THE BIOTECHNOLOGY OF FATS - A CHALLENGE AND AN OPPORTUNITY

Abstract

Oleochemical products and biotechnological methods are making equally important contributions to a chemistry of the future which - energy-saving and kind to the environment - has its foundations in regenerative raw materials. In the past, research results of biochemistry have only indirectly affected oleochemistry - for example through crop improvements in oil plants. Although biotechnological processes for the modification or production of fats (for example by fermentation) have been investigated, they have only been adopted in a few specialized fields. However, with the general advance of the bioreactor and genetic engineering, many new and interesting ideas for the biotechnology of fats have been developed in recent years, including for example the commercial application of lipases for splitting fats and the use of bioemulsifiers for secondary and tertiary oil recovery. Further innovations are likely and are being discussed.