Biopolymers

Another research focus is the extraction, process optimization and subsequent application of different biopolymers.
Biopolymers are an essential basis for life on our planet. They serve as energy stores, have structural significance, act in metabolism, actively ward off harmful influences, store and convey information. Biopolymers are used by humans both as native polymers and as biobased polymers. An important point of application of biopolymers is the production of pharmaceuticals and medical products as well as their use in the cosmetics industry. The GMBU e.V. focused on both hyaluronic acid and levan and also Exopolysaccharides from red algae (project “PolAntiNos“).
Hyaluronic acid is synthesized in all higher organisms as well as in some bacteria, whereby the polymers are structurally identical. The “Hyaluronic acid” research project focused on the fermentative production of hyaluronic acid, its preparation and purification as well as the isolation of high molecular weight fractions (>1.0 MDa) and further processing into wound dressings using the biopolymer chitosan as a structural component.
Project: “Hyaluronic acid”
Project partner: Individual project
Duration: 01.07.2004 – 31.02.2007
Funding body: EURONORM GmbH on behalf of the BMWi

Levan is a fructan, which is a biopolymer of fructose molecules with a terminal glucose unit. Within the publicly funded “SucroLevan” project, a technical process for the preparation of levan was developed and optimized using a levan sucrase produced using genetic engineering methods, with the aim of generating the highest possible molecular weight.
Project: “Sucrolevan”
Project partners: MLU Halle-Wittenberg; Artefactum GmbH; INNOVENT e.V.
Duration: 01.06.2017 – 31.12.2019
Project sponsor: PTJ on behalf of the BMBF