Revolutionizing Oil Production: SMEY Launches Lipid Atlas

Franco-German fermentation startup SMEY has recently unveiled Lipid Atlas, an innovative searchable platform driven by its proprietary database of over 1,000 non-GMO yeast strains. This new tool allows customers across various industries to identify oils with customized fatty acid profiles.

Customizable Oil Solutions for Diverse Industries

The Lipid Atlas provides versatility for users in the cosmetics, food, and specialty ingredients sectors. Clients can search for yeast strains capable of producing replacements for widely-used oils, such as cocoa butter and palm oil, or discover novel oils tailored to specific fatty acid compositions and melting behaviors.

Utilizing advanced AI and machine learning, SMEY predicts the oil-producing potential of yeast strains and their likely compositions based on genomic data. According to Chief Science Officer Pavel Elizarev, these technologies also optimize the fermentation process.

A Unique Business Model

SMEY’s business model combines discovery with scale-up. Once a client identifies a target profile, the company transitions from validated strain selection to lab-scale fermentation (producing 100g samples) and then to pilot-scale production through Contract Manufacturing Organizations (CMOs). The ultimate aim is to reach industrial volumes and deploy localized “micro-factories” to better support clients.

“By merging our Neobank of Yeasts’ biological diversity with AI-driven discovery, we deliver essential data to identify the lipid profiles that industries require,” states Elizarev. “We also provide the biotechnology for ethical, local, and scalable production.”

Innovative Products: Noyl Silk and Noyl Cocoa

SMEY’s first offerings include Noyl Silk, an efficient oil ideal for cosmetics and sunscreens, known for its silky texture and rapid skin absorption without greasiness, and Noyl Cocoa, a cocoa butter analog designed for both cosmetics and food applications. The team is actively working on scaling these products while expanding access to their extensive private library through Lipid Atlas.

Harnessing Non-GMO Yeast Strains

Although SMEY has the capability to genetically modify microbes, the company prefers to explore naturally occurring yeast strains that can yield high lipid levels. Elizarev explains, “Creating a GMO organism is time-consuming and controversial. Instead, we are investigating what nature already offers.”

By analyzing thousands of yeast species, the firm has successfully identified around 300 that produce oils, some boasting up to 80% oil content in their dry weight. This process involves carefully culturing and characterizing these strains to determine their oil-producing capabilities.

Designing the Future of Oils

Many clients seek oils that replicate existing tropical oils, while others are looking for entirely new oil compositions. “The oils commonly used in the industry aren’t necessarily the best; they are simply abundant,” notes Elizarev. Clients are actively searching for oils that won’t compromise on stability or sustainability.

“In food applications, there’s a continuous need for solid fats. Current options are often expensive, unsustainable, or require hydrogenation. Wouldn’t it be revolutionary to have oils tailored to meet these specific requirements right from the start?” Elizarev poses.

In conclusion, SMEY’s Lipid Atlas represents a significant step forward in the quest for customizable oils, marrying the wonders of nature with cutting-edge technology to meet the ever-evolving demands of various industries.