Zymes llc. Fermentation vs. Synthesis

Fermentation vs. Synthesis

There are two processes by which coenzyme Q₁₀ (CoQ₁₀) can be produced, ‘fermentation’ or ’synthesis’. These two processes can be incorrectly characterized as being natural and unnatural, respectively. This arbitrary characterization is based upon individual steps within each of the two, multi-step manufacturing processes. However, both processes comprise some steps which could be considered natural and others which could be considered unnatural.

Fermentation is a chemical process whereby microorganisms, such as bacteria and yeast, break down organic material. Beer, for example, is made by using yeast to break down sugars from malted grain into alcohol and carbon dioxide. Similarly, sugar from grapes is broken down for use in wine. Fermentation is also crucial in the production of bread, cheese, and yogurt. However, fermentation can sometimes be undesirable, for example, when fermented milk turns sour.

Fermented products useful to human beings are manufactured using large stainless steel tanks filled with nutrients. The nutrient mixture is sterilized to kill unwanted germs. Specific microbes are then intentionally added to initiate fermentation of the nutrients over a period of days. Upon completion, the desired fermentation product (which usually makes up only a small percentage of the total mixture) is separated from the rest of the mixture. This separation, or purification process, is achieved by using several techniques such as extraction, and filtration, among others. All of these techniques involve large quantities of chemical solvents and may be considered “unnatural”. Most of the world’s supply of coenzyme Q₁₀ is generated in Japan using patented processes based on the fermentation of glucose by yeast and is purified as described above.

The remaining supply of coenzyme Q₁₀ is made by what is referred to as the “synthetic” method. This method involves combining two naturally derived compounds. One is ’solanesol’, which is isolated and purified from tobacco plants. The other component is TMT, derived from gallic acid, found in several different plant sources. Thus, the synthetic process of coenzyme Q₁₀ involves combining two naturally occurring compounds derived from plants.

Synthesis is the process of forming a compound molecule (”A-B”) from simpler precursors (”A” and “B”). The components “A” and “B” are oftentimes found in nature, as is the case with ’synthetic’ coenzyme Q₁₀. Hence, these two ingredients are combined to form a product, as represented by the equation: A + B = A-B.

For fermentation to coenzyme Q₁₀, it could be represented as:

Glucose + Yeast coenzyme Q₁₀

For synthesis, the fundamental ingredients could be written as:

Gallic acid + Solanesol coenzyme Q₁₀

Once a compound such as coenzyme Q₁₀ is formed, whether by fermentation or synthesis, it must be isolated from the rest of the mixture in the reaction vessel and then purified. Since coenzyme Q₁₀ is not water soluble, it is extracted using a non-aqueous medium in which it will dissolve. Thus, both approaches (fermentation and synthesis) utilize natural ingredients, and both rely on ‘unnatural’ solvents and purification procedures. Ultimately, both approaches produce coenzyme Q₁₀ that is identical in nature.

Learn about our coenzyme Q₁₀ delivery system technology

• Science and Technology
  • Overview
  • Zymes’ Coenzyme Q₁₀
    • HQO™
  • Omega-3
  • The Lipshutz Method
    • Fermentation vs. Synthesis
  • Ubisol-Aqua™ Delivery System Technology
    • Achieving Solubility
    • Functionality
    • Applications
  • Green Chemistry
  • Published Research
  • Ongoing Research