Title:A Patent Landscape on Methane Oxidizing Bacteria (MOB) or Methanotrophs
Volume: 19
Issue: 4
Author(s): Abhishek Bokad and Manasi Telang*
Affiliation:
- CSIR-URDIP (Council of Scientific & Industrial Research - Unit for Research & Development of
Information Products), S.No. 113 & 114, NCL Estate, Pashan Road, Pune 411008, Maharashtra, India
Keywords:
Methane, methane oxidizing bacteria, methanotrophs, patent landscape, bioremediation, oxidation applications.
Abstract: Methane-oxidizing bacteria (MOB) or methanotrophs are a category of bacteria
that rely on methane as their primary carbon and energy source. Methane is the second
most abundant greenhouse gas after carbon dioxide and is comparatively far more potent
in trapping heat in the atmosphere. MOBs are important microorganisms in the global
carbon cycle where they play a crucial role in the oxidation of methane. The present review
provides a comprehensive patent landscape on technology development using
MOB. The first patent in this technology domain was recorded in 1971, with a notable
surge in activity observed in 2020. A detailed patent analysis revealed that the early inventions
were mainly focused on the production of various metabolites and bioremediation
using MOB. In the later years, patents were filed in the area of identification of various
species of MOB and their large-scale production. From 2010 onwards, consistent patent
filing was observed in the genetic engineering of MOB to enhance their methane oxidizing
capacity. The United States and China have emerged as the global leaders in terms
of patent filing in this technology space. Precigen Inc. and Exxon Research Engineering
Co., US were the top patent assignees followed by the University of Tsinghua and
Calysta Inc. The Highest number of patent applications have claimed metabolite production
by using MOB followed by their use in bioremediation. Methylosinus has emerged
as the predominant microorganism of choice for methane oxidation applications.
