CONTENTS

Introduction Comparing Synthesis Methods Sustainable Development Goals

Introduction

We believe our contribution to sustainability comes largely from BOROHMA’s novel borneol production method that utilizes energy-efficient bacterial fermentation as opposed to energy-intensive chemical refining processes. By harnessing bacteria’s existing cellular mechanism to produce optically pure L-borneol, BOROHMA’s platform is more sustainable and resource-efficient than traditional refining processes at every turn. More than that, by utilizing a bacterial minicell release system, we can also get rid of the need for complex and intensive purification processes. So to premise, we think it’s necessary to present an analysis of how BOROHMA’s process fares.

In 2015, the United Nations introduced the "2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development," outlining the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) aimed at global progress from 2015 through 2030 and beyond. As rapid modernization continues to exacerbate environmental and societal challenges, sustainability has emerged as one of the most pressing issues worldwide. The demands of industrialization have led to unsustainable practices driven by human oversight, accelerating global warming immensely. The 17 SDGs serve as a framework to address these complex sustainability challenges, and we are committed to contributing to this vital mission. Understanding BOROHMA’s advantages over other processes, we believe our product contributes substantially to SDG 3 (Good Health and Well-Being), SDG 9 (Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure), SDG 12 (Responsible Consumption and Production), and SDG 13 (Climate Action).

Comparison of Synthesis Methods for BOROHMA, Chemically Derived Borneol, Camphor-Derived Borneol, and DEET

Traditional methods of repellent production are highly energy-intensive and harmful to the environment, which contrasts sharply with our approach using biosynthetic pathways.

The graph below outlines the production methods and energy/resource demands for common synthesis methods of borneol and DEET. It also lists the final products of each production approach. The colored sections of the chart also provide a detailed comparison between the energy and resource intensity of each synthesis method, with Level 1 being the least and Level 4 the most intensive.

This comparison demonstrates that BOROHMA’s biosynthetic process excels in each category and is a far more sustainable option because it is significantly more energy and resource-efficient than traditional methods.



BOROHMA
Chemical Synthesis
Camphor Derived
Diethyltoluamide (DEET)
Method
E. coli metabolic pathway for borneol production
Acid-catalyzed hydrolysis of turpentine followed by isomerization, crystallization, and distillation
Steam distillation for camphor followed by multi-step chemical synthesis using petroleum-derived compounds
Combine diethylamine and toluoyl chloride in a solvent like dichloromethane, followed by purification and crystallization to obtain the final product.
Steps
  1. Fermentation of Engineered E. coli
  2. Centrifugation-based Purification of bacterial minicells
  1. Turpentine hydrolysis: Acidic conditions break down pine-derived turpentine
  2. Isomerization: Heating for rearrangement
  3. Purification: Distillation & crystallization using solvents and high temperatures
  1. Steam camphor wood chips and extract oil
  2. Chlorinating agent formation: Reacts thionyl chloride with DMF
  3. Converts m-toluic acid to acid chloride
  4. Nucleophilic substitution with diethylamine to produce DEET
  1. Formation of toluoyl chloride by reacting p-toluic acid with thionyl chloride to produce p-toluoyl chloride
  2. Combine p-toluoyl chloride with diethylamine in a solvent like dichloromethane to form N,N-Diethyl-p-toluamide
  3. Dissolve the crude product in a suitable solvent and allow it to cool to promote crystallization under a vacuum
Energy Intensive Ranking
LEVEL 1
  • Low energy requirement, operates at mild temperatures, no extreme conditions
LEVEL 2
  • High energy use (acid hydrolysis, thermocycling, and purification stages)
LEVEL 4
  • Multiple high-energy steps and hazardous reagents require additional energy management
  • Steam distillation energy consumption
LEVEL 3
  • Thermocycling for diethylamine with toluoyl chloride reactions
  • Thermal energy for vaporization and thermocycling; vacuum systems for crystallization efficiency
Resource Intensive Ranking
LEVEL 1
  • Minimal use of non-renewable resources (glucose-based feedstock)
LEVEL 3
  • Significant use of non-renewable turpentine and solvents; high catalyst usage
  • Exclusive production settings for large chemical companies only; impractical for DIY
LEVEL 2
  • Heavy reliance on non-renewable petroleum compounds and toxic reagents
  • Forestry-intensive practices to provide enough raw camphor wood chips
LEVEL 4
  • Heavy reliance on hazardous chemicals (thionyl chloride and oxalyl chloride)
  • m-toluic acid is derived from non-renewable petrochemical sources
Product
Optically pure L-borneol
Impure L-borneol mixed with isoborneol
Impure L-borneol mixed with isoborneol, camphor, and other molecules
Optically pure DEET
Table 1: Comparison of method, steps, resource and energy intensity rankings, and product of various mosquito repellent synthesis processes

In terms of both energy and resource consumption, BOROHMA’s biosynthetic approach is a far more sustainable option compared to other methods of repellent production.

Sustainable Development Goals

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Click the SDG icons to see more information.

  1. Forsey, L. (2023, July 28).Is DEET bad for you?https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/is-deet-bad-for-you
  2. Swale, D. R., Sun, B., Tong, F., & Bloomquist, J. R. (2014). Neurotoxicity and mode of action of N, N-diethyl-meta-toluamide (DEET). PloS one, 9(8), e103713. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0103713