Optimal preparation of food waste to increase its utility for sophorolipid production by Starmerella bombicola. (July 2023)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: To, Ming Ho; Wang, Huaimin; Miao, Yahui; Kaur, Guneet; Roelants, Sophie L.K.W.; Lin, Carol Sze Ki
• Is Part Of: Bioresource technology. Volume 379(2023)
• Publication Date: 2023-07
• Subjects: Food waste inhibitor -- High free amino nitrogen -- Inhibitor removal -- Sustainability; 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.2023.128993
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0960-8524

Abstract

Graphical abstract: Highlights: Food waste is an ideal nutrient source for biorefinery yet not widely utilized. Inhibitors in supermarket food waste include lactic acid, acetic acid and ethanol. Inhibitors were successfully reduced to a non-inhibitory level. High FAN bioprocess enhanced the production of SLs from food waste. Abstract: Secondary feedstocks, such as food waste (FW), have been used for yeasts (e.g. Starmerella bombicola ) to produce sophorolipids (SLs), which are commercially available biosurfactants. However, the quality of FW varies by location and season and may contains chemicals that inhibit SLs production. Therefore, it is crucial to identify such inhibitors and, if possible, remove them, to ensure efficient utilization. In this study, large scale FW was first analysed to determine the concentration of potential inhibitors. Lactic acid, acetic acid and ethanol were identified and found to be inhibitors of the growth of S. bombicola and its SLs production. Various methods were then evaluated for their ability to remove these inhibitors. Finally, a simple and effective strategy for removing inhibitors from FW was developed that complied with the 12 principles of green chemistry and could be adopted by industry for high SLs production.