Process Economics Program Report 106A
Published: Dec-2002
Amino acids are the building blocks for protein and essential
to all living organisms. They are used as food additives, feed additives and
in pharmaceuticals.
The amino acid L-glutamic acid, the starting material for the flavor enhancer
monosodium glutamate (MSG) is produced at a capacity of nearly 3 billion lb/yr
(1,360,000 t/yr).
Another amino acid produced in large volume is methionine. The global consumption
of amino acid is 880 million lb/yr or (400,000 t/yr). The market for this compound
is satisfied by two distinct products, solid D,L-methionine (DLM), its hydroxy
analogue, 2-hydroxy 4-(methylthio)butanoic acid (HMBA) a liquid. Other large
volume amino acids include L-lysine with a global capacity of 1.5 billion lb/yr
(70,000 t/yr) and L-threonine 66 million lb/yr (30,000t/yr)
Growth in the feed additives market has been spurred by several factors. One
is the outbreak of bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE) " mad cow disease"
Measures to contain the disease has resulted in a ban on the use of animal derived
protein sources by the EU in December of 2000 (106A279). In addition European
producers are under increasing environmental pressure to reduce the nitrogen
level in wastes. The substitution of amino acids for more complex protein sources
can reduce discharge by 20-25%.
This report covers the production of D,L-methionine(DLM) and its hydroxy analogue
(HMBA), L-threonine, L-glutamic acid and its sodium salt monosodium glutamate
(MSG).
Processes for L-lysine production has been covered in the following PEP Review
97-8 Lysine-sulfate by fermentation, and PEP Review 97-9, Lysine-HCL by Fermentation
with Recovery by Ion-exchange, and in PEP Report 188B, Bioseparation Processes,
2002.
This report will be of interest producers of chemicals that are required for
methionine production i.e. acrolein, methyl mercaptan and hydrogen cyanide,
suppliers of glucose for fermentation and to manufacturers of the amino acids.
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