Conagen makes strides in biobased chemicals

The industrial fermentation specialist Conagen says it has developed a process for making capsaicinoid compounds; the firm is separately offering production services to another biobased chemical developer. The Bedford, Massachusetts–based firm says it has successfully scaled up a process for making capsaicin and related molecules such as dihydrocapsaicin and nonivamide, a capsaicinoid used in topical muscle pain relievers and in synthetic pepper spray. Capsaicin and dihydrocapsaicin are responsible for about 90% of the pungency in chili pepper, the firm says. Meanwhile, Conagen has signed an agreement to make the amino acid L-alanine for the fermentation specialist DMC Biotechnologies. In March, DMC said it had demonstrated commercial-scale production of L-alanine with another partner, the German firm EW Biotech. Conagen, cofounded in 2010 by the biochemist Oliver Yu, also has deals with BASF and Sumitomo Chemical.