Evaluation of an integrated biorefinery based on fractionation of spent sulphite liquor for the production of an antioxidant-rich extract, lignosulphonates and succinic acid. (August 2016)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Alexandri, Maria; Papapostolou, Harris; Komaitis, Michael; Stragier, Lutgart; Verstraete, Willy; Danezis, Georgios P.; Georgiou, Constantinos A.; Papanikolaou, Seraphim; Koutinas, Apostolis A.
• Is Part Of: Bioresource technology. Volume 214(2016)
• Page Start: 504
• Page End: 513
• Publication Date: 2016-08
• Subjects: Spent sulphite liquor -- Integrated biorefinery -- Lignosulphonates -- Antioxidants -- Succinic acid; Biomass -- Periodicals; Biomass energy -- Periodicals; Bioremediation -- Periodicals; Agricultural wastes -- Periodicals; Factory and trade waste -- Periodicals; Organic wastes -- Periodicals; Bioénergie -- Périodiques; Déchets agricoles -- Périodiques; Déchets industriels -- Périodiques; Déchets organiques -- Périodiques; Déchets (Combustible) -- Périodiques; 662.88
• DOI: 10.1016/j.biortech.2016.03.162
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0960-8524

Abstract

Highlights: Two biorefinery schemes based on sulphite pulping mills were evaluated. Fractionation of SSL was achieved via nanofiltration and solvent extraction. An antioxidant-rich extract was produced via solvent extraction with ethyl acetate. Solvent extraction with isopropanol led to significant removal of heavy metals. 39 g/L succinic acid were produced from filtrated-extracted SSL. Abstract: Spent sulphite liquor (SSL) has been used for the production of lignosulphonates (LS), antioxidants and bio-based succinic acid. Solvent extraction of SSL with isopropanol led to the separation of approximately 80% of the total LS content, whereas the fermentations carried out using the pretreated SSL with isopropanol led to the production of around 19 g/L of succinic acid by both Actinobacillus succinogenes and Basfia succiniciproducens . Fractionation of SSL via nanofiltration to separate the LS and solvent extraction using ethyl acetate to separate the phenolic compounds produced a detoxified sugar-rich stream that led to the production of 39 g/L of succinic acid by B. succiniciproducens . This fractionation scheme resulted also in the production of 32.4 g LS and 1.15 g phenolic-rich extract per 100 g of SSL. Both pretreatment schemes removed significant quantities of metals and heavy metals. This novel biorefinery concept could be integrated in acidic sulphite pulping mills.