Enzymatic process for low-cost inositol from starch feedstocks
This technology converts starch or cellulose — cheap, abundant agricultural materials — into inositol using a cocktail of enzymes working together in a single reaction vessel. The enzymes break down the starch into smaller sugar units and progressively convert them into inositol through a series of controlled biochemical steps, all without fermentation or harsh chemicals. The process runs at moderate temperatures and is designed to be efficient and scalable, yielding more inositol per unit of raw material than conventional routes. Inositol is a commercially valuable compound used in dietary supplements, infant formula, pharmaceuticals, and cosmetics.
What you could build
A drop-in enzymatic manufacturing process licensed to inositol producers or specialty chemical companies, enabling lower-cost, greener production of food-grade and pharma-grade inositol for the nutraceutical, infant nutrition, and pharmaceutical ingredient markets.
Who in Virginia should care
Contract manufacturers, specialty ingredient companies, or ag-biotech firms in Virginia's Shenandoah Valley or Northern Virginia biotech corridor with fermentation or enzyme-process capabilities would be plausible licensees or partners.
Readiness: Prototype likely
Concept — described but not yet demonstrated. Lab validated — supported by experimental results in the patent. Prototype likely — the text describes a built, working embodiment.
Readiness is inferred from the patent text, not from a lab visit.
The record
- Inventors
- Yi-Heng Percival ZHANG, Chun YOU
- Granted
- June 8, 2021
- Status
- Granted patent
- Patent number
- 11028414
Ready to talk?
Virginia Tech Intellectual Properties handles licensing for this technology.
Prosim summaries are generated from public patent text and are not legal advice.