Synthesis of GHB via saccharomyces cerevisiae and GABA as a substrate

[nintey]

I found an interesting article describing the use of GABA by yeast to produce GHB

"Moreover, the levels of GHB-DH activity were seven times higher in the presence of GABA than during fermentation on MS medium (P = 6.9 × 10?7, Student t test). We then tried to demonstrate the formation of GHB under these conditions, by trying to detect this compound in the culture supernatant by liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry. We showed that the V5 uga2 strain produced large amounts of GHB when grown in the presence of GABA (2.3 ± 0.1 mM [mean ± standard deviation from three independent experiments]), whereas no significant GHB excretion was detected (detection threshold of 0.1 mM) in MS medium (see above)."

here is a link to the article http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2704823/

It is a qualitative report so there is no idea what the yield could be, but here we have proof of concept!

Very interesting.

 

[Transform]

Interesting. The rumors about it being produced by fermentation of monosodium glutamate were immensely frustrating, but to be honest I would be surprised if this one pans out to be useful too.

 

[nintey]

Yeah it is hard to say how useful this will be, it seems most is converted to succinic acid, but some is made into ghb via an alternative pathway. Limiting the nitrogen substrate available so that the yeast is forced to use gaba may be useful in facilitating the conversion.

either way we have proof it can be done, now whether or no it can make a useful amount is a different story.

 

[Solipsis]

Nice as a curiosity, but considering GHB related syntheses are relatively easy and engineering yeast kinda isn't... how is this actually helpful? Not sure if it can be reduced to some foolproof tek eventually?

 

[nintey]

mostly just interesting, although I have heard nitrosamine compounds can be a problem with the sandmeyer rxn

 

[rakketakke]

Nice as a curiosity, but considering GHB related syntheses are relatively easy and engineering yeast kinda isn't... how is this actually helpful? Not sure if it can be reduced to some foolproof tek eventually?

It's absolutely beautiful.
GBL is a vile solvent.
The pathway from GABA not entirely clean either.
(^Delete this if it's borderline rulebreaking)

Biochemistry

"Rumors" Though? AFAIK we still have no analysis of a sample sprouted from yeast, I should examine and bring to a Dutch laboratory.

 

[sekio]

Considering a 2.3 millimolar solution of GHB is 0.24 grams per liter, I think there's certainly better syntheses out there. You'd have to concentrate or otherwise consume roughly 5 or 6 liters of fermentation broth per dose.

 

[nintey]

My thought was to to try and force the yeast to use the gaba as a nitrogen source by reducing all other available nitrogen and see what happens than. It probably wont work at all, but if it did it would be really cool.

I am pretty sure this will avail to nothing but than again stranger things have happened.

 

[drinkfekarse]

My thought was to to try and force the yeast to use the gaba as a nitrogen source by reducing all other available nitrogen and see what happens than. It probably wont work at all, but if it did it would be really cool.

I am pretty sure this will avail to nothing but than again stranger things have happened.

Hi nintey some years back I tried doing exactly this. The brewers yeast I used seemed to stagnate very quickly, then no fermentation was taking place, so I just left it for a few days. Then it started bubbling,and continued for a week or so. Presumably it was a bacterial infection that was fermenting . It eventually turned a pinkish color and stopped fermenting. It smelled utterly dreadful,so I tossed it.

Would be fascinated to know results if you attempt this.