P77: Production of Coenzyme Q10

Coenzyme Q (CoQ) belongs to the family of molecules called as ubiquinones (UQ) that are part of the membrane-bound lipids. Coenzyme Q₁₀ (CoQ₁₀) is an oil-soluble, vitamin-like compound, which is present in most eukaryotic cells, primarily in the mitochondria. It plays an important role as an electron carrier in the respiratory chain and it has antioxidative and prooxidative properties. Although Coenzyme Q10 can be supplied by endogenous synthesis, coenzyme Q10 amounts in human decrease with age and some diseases. Therefore, exogenous sources (foods and supplements) of Coenzyme Q10 are needed. The annual global consumption of coenzyme Q₁₀ is approximately 300 tons, of which the consumption of functional foods accounts for about 60%, the consumption of drugs for about 20%, and the consumption of cosmetics for about 8%. The production of Coenzyme Q10 can be achieved commercially by microbial fermentation. In this study, the basic considerations for the design of fermentor and subsequent downstream processing units required for the synthesis of Coenzyme Q-10 using Rhodobacter sphaeroides were outlined and the fermentation tank volume, the required sterilization time, the power requirement for agitation of fermentor, orifice diameter for aeration, and the size and rotational speed of centrifuge for downstream processing were calculated for a plant to produce about 0.3 tons of CoQ-10 per year which is about 1% of the total demand.