Grant: CCI Applied Research and Development Grants

LCY Biosciences (LCYB), a subsidiary of LCY Chemical Corp., is based in Sarnia, Ontario, and focuses on chemical production through bio-based raw materials and sustainable processes. The company has since shifted away from producing succinic acid, used to make plastics, and is now focusing on nutraceuticals used in nutrition and animal feed. Carotenoids are found in fruits and vegetables and are known for their nutritional and health benefits. There is a growing interest in producing carotenoids from green biotechnological processes and eco-sustainable matrices such as argo-food waste. However, these natural biosynthesis methods are highly limited by their low productivity. Natural methods of carotenoid production also make up a small amount of the global market and only commercially available through extraction from plants and microalgae. While, there are currently no fermentation-derived carotenoids on the commercial market. As a result, LCYB is looking to capitalize on this opportunity to use genetically engineered yeast to produce a range of carotenoid products for market. In partnership, LCYB and Lambton College aims to optimize the carotenoid extraction step in the downstream processing of carotenoid extraction and recovery through their proprietary yeast fermentation approach. The aim is to explore supercritical CO2 (sCO2) extraction and compare it to solvent-based extractions to find the most optimal method. The new process will be integrated into LCYs full scale production facility. LCY anticipates being the first company to use a yeast fermentation to produce a range of natural carotenoid products for market. Successful completion of this project will allow LCY to finalize production and begin the commercialization process, providing them with valuable technological and business information. This project will have a positive impact on the local community, and Canada, through job creation and revenue generation. The exportation opportunities amidst this project will generate significant economic profit. This method of carotenoid production is the most sustainable, and extraction from fruits/vegetables is not currently being exploited in the market. There is a global niche that LCY anticipates filing with the successful completion of this project.