Modeling and simulation of the biosurfactant production by enzymatic route using xylose and oleic acid as reagents

Abstract

The biosynthesis of sugar esters, molecules with biosurfactant properties, can occur through the esterification of sugars with fatty acids by enzymatic catalysis. An alternative to reduce the impact of raw materials on the final cost of biosurfactant production and reuse industrial waste is to use residues from vegetable oil industries as source of FFA (Free Fatty Acid, such as oleic acid) and lignocellulosic residues of 2G ethanol as source of sugar (xylose). In this scenario, the present work aimed to model the production process of biosurfactants via heterogeneous biocatalysis by lipase, using oleic acid and xylose. Product separation and purification was performed using a sequence of precipitations (by adding ethanol, water and methyl ethyl ketone). Simulation was performed using the equation-oriented software EMSO (Environment for Modeling, Simulation and Optimization), which is CAPE-OPEN compliant. The percentage of biosurfactants in the product was around 86%, with recovery of 88% in the purification. Regarding the study of energy expenditure, it was observed a value of -604.1 kW of heat associated with cooling and a value of 137.6 kW associated with heating. Developed mathematical models successfully described the process. The initial economic analysis of the process indicates a minimum biosurfactant selling price of US$72.37/kg.