Chemical engineering processes and apparatus for the synthesis of compounds
The present invention provides methods for producing cannabinoids and cannabinoid analogs as well as a system for producing these compounds. The inventive method is directed to contacting a compound according to Formula I or Formula II with a cannabinoid synthase. Also described is a system for producing cannabinoids and cannabinoid analogs by contacting a THCA synthase with a cannabinoid precursor and modifying at least one property of the reaction mixture to influence the quantity formed of a first cannabinoid relative to the quantity formed of a second cannabinoid.
1. A method of producing one or more cannabinoids comprising:
reacting 3-(3,7-dimethylocta-2,6-diene-1-yl)-2,4-dihydroxy-6-propoyl-1-benzoic acid (CBGVA)
with a recombinant cannabinoid synthase as a catalyst in a reaction mixture, wherein the cannabinoid synthase comprises a THCA synthase or a CBDA synthase;
controlling a property of the reaction mixture to modify the amount of the one or more cannabinoids;
wherein the reaction mixture comprises one or more solvents of dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO), dimethylformamide (DMF), iso-propoyl alcohol and cyclodextrin, and wherein the amount of the solvent in the reaction mixture is between 5% and 30% (w/v);
wherein the pH of the reaction mixture is between 4.0 to 6.0.
2. The method of claim 1 , further comprising conjugating the recombinant cannabinoid synthase to a solid support.
3. The method of claim 1 , wherein the cannabinoid is a single enantiomer.
4. The method of claim 1 , wherein the enantiomeric purity of the cannabinoid is at least 95%.
5. The method of claim 4 , wherein the enantiomeric purity of the cannabinoid is at least 99%.
6. The method of claim 1 , further comprises producing the recombinant cannabinoid synthase.
7. The method of claim 6 , wherein the step of producing the recombinant cannabinoid synthase comprises overexpressing the recombinant cannabinoid synthase in yeast or in Escherichia coli.
8. The method of claim 1 , further comprising isolating the cannabinoid.
9. The method of claim 1 , further comprising decarboxylating the cannabinoid.