ProduÃÃo de Ãcido CÃtrico utilizando glicerol residual da produÃÃo de biodiesel como substrato / Production of citric acid using residual glycerol from biodiesel production as a substrate

AUTOR(ES)
FONTE

IBICT - Instituto Brasileiro de Informação em Ciência e Tecnologia

DATA DE PUBLICAÇÃO

28/02/2011

RESUMO

Due to government financial incentives, which boost the production of biodiesel, there has been a large scale production of this fuel. However, this growth has proved to be exaggerated, rising a worrying factor: the destination of the glycerol excess from biodiesel production. Such concern is clearly shown to prove an important fact: for every ton of biodiesel produced, 100 kg of glycerol are generated, which leads to adverse effects on the biodiesel economy. In this context, it is feared that the over-produced glycerine, which causes a high level of pollution, can be discarded irresponsibly into the environment. So, researches have been being developed, aiming to find other alternatives for the use of the extra volume of glycerol. The bioconversion of glycerol by fermentation is good option that adds significant value to the productivity of the biodiesel industry. Glycerol can be used by several microorganisms in metabolic processes, as a carbon source. Some yeasts species, such as Yarrowia lipolytica, when grown on a media with a limited source of nitrogen, are able to produce significant amounts of citric acid from glycerol. Citric acid is currently one of the most important organic acids produced by fermentation. Due to its characteristics, it has been widely used in food and beverage industry and also as an additive for detergents, pharmaceuticals, cosmetics and toiletries. Thus, this study aimed to evaluate, through fermentation, bioconversion routes of residual glycerol from biodiesel production with high levels of impurities, in order to obtain citric acid. For this, two potential acid-producing yeast strains (Yarrowia lipolytica NRRL YB 323 and Yarrowia lipolytica NRRL YB 423) were initially used. Using the Methodology of Experimental Design and Response Surface Analysis, it was investigated the initial concentrations of carbon sources as well as organic (yeast extract) and inorganic (ammonium sulfate) nitrogen sources in shake flasks. The results obtained showed that the optimal initial concentration of glycerol from waste biodiesel as carbon source, within the studied range, was 20 g/L. As to the nitrogen sources, they were proved having no remarkable influence on the acid production. It was also found that thiamine addition to the media did not promote the increase on the amount of the previously accumulated citric acid. Yarrowia lipolytica NRRL YB 423 was proved more effective on the acid production. The tests which were carried out in the fermenter aimed to evaluate the optimal concentration of dissolved oxygen in the media. It was observed that highest concentrations of dissolved oxygen in fermentation media, promotes the production of citric acid. For levels of 50% oxygen, there was a lower yield, while for 70%, citric acid production was favored. The final percentage yield for the production of citric acid obtained from 20 g/L of residual glycerol from the biodiesel initially added to the media was 24.80%, at the end of three days of fermentation.

ASSUNTO(S)

engenharia quimica Ãcido cÃtrico fermentaÃÃo biodiesel processos quÃmicos citric acid fermentation biodiesel glycerol yarrowia lipolytica

Documentos Relacionados