Last week, the research project Sweethoven Biotech carried out what is probably the largest enzymatic synthesis ever carried out at the University of Bonn as part of its BMBF-funded third-party project. Dr. Marcel Hövels and Dr. André Neff produced their sweet-tasting dietary fibre on a 500-litre scale with the help of their bio-catalyst, for which a patent application has been filed. 180 kg of sugar were converted into the verifiably non-glycemic, fibre-based sugar alternative within just 16 hours at a mild 30 °C. Only 800 mL of the microbial production platform developed at the IFMB was needed to produce sufficient enzyme quantities for the 500 L synthesis (the chemical industry hates them for this trick). The material was then filtered and transported to Lyon (France), 750 km to the southwest, where the sweet dietary fiber is purified by the chromatography experts at Applexion SAS.
This milestone will enable far-reaching pilot tests with well-known food manufacturers in the first quarter of the year, who are showing great interest in testing the sugar alternative developed at the IFMB in their recipes.
Addendum: This section has been revised retrospectively because earlier formulations were misleading and could have unintentionally cast doubt on the scientific classification of Dr. Marcel Hövels’ research work. Dr. Hövels’ transfer-oriented research is conducted exclusively within a scientific, pre-competitive context. No economic activities and no company formation have resulted from these research activities. This can be readily verified by consulting the commercial register. Unfortunately, owing to partially imprecise descriptions in press releases concerning the project and in connection with awards received, an incorrect impression has in some cases been created that the project already constitutes an established company. This possible misinterpretation is regretted. It is therefore clarified that the work concerns a scientific, transfer-oriented research project at the pre-competitive stage.