Use of Agro-Industrial Waste for Biosurfactant Production: A Comparative Study of Hemicellulosic Liquors from Corncobs and Sunflower Stalks

Brenda Lohanny Passos Santos, Meirielly Santos Jesus (), Fernando Mata, Aline Alves Oliveira Santos Prado, Isabela Maria Monteiro Vieira, Larissa Castor Ramos, Jorge A. López, Manuela Vaz-Velho, Denise Santos Ruzene and Daniel Pereira Silva
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Brenda Lohanny Passos Santos: Northeastern Biotechnology Network, Federal University of Sergipe, São Cristóvão 49100-000, Brazil
Meirielly Santos Jesus: Center for Research and Development in Agri-Food Systems and Sustainability, Polytechnic Institute of Viana do Castelo, Praça General Barbosa, 4900-347 Viana do Castelo, Portugal
Fernando Mata: Center for Research and Development in Agri-Food Systems and Sustainability, Polytechnic Institute of Viana do Castelo, Praça General Barbosa, 4900-347 Viana do Castelo, Portugal
Aline Alves Oliveira Santos Prado: Coordination of Food Technical Course, Federal Institute of Sergipe, Aracaju 49055-260, Brazil
Isabela Maria Monteiro Vieira: Northeastern Biotechnology Network, Federal University of Sergipe, São Cristóvão 49100-000, Brazil
Larissa Castor Ramos: Northeastern Biotechnology Network, Federal University of Sergipe, São Cristóvão 49100-000, Brazil
Jorge A. López: Multidisciplinary Research Laboratory, Health Sciences Center, Federal University of Rio Grande do Norte, Natal 59010-180, Brazil
Manuela Vaz-Velho: Center for Research and Development in Agri-Food Systems and Sustainability, Polytechnic Institute of Viana do Castelo, Praça General Barbosa, 4900-347 Viana do Castelo, Portugal
Denise Santos Ruzene: Northeastern Biotechnology Network, Federal University of Sergipe, São Cristóvão 49100-000, Brazil
Daniel Pereira Silva: Northeastern Biotechnology Network, Federal University of Sergipe, São Cristóvão 49100-000, Brazil

Sustainability, 2023, vol. 15, issue 8, 1-11

Abstract: Biosurfactants have attracted considerable attention because of their lower toxicity, biocompatibility, and effectiveness over chemical surfactants. The use of renewable sources and the concept of sustainable production for such biomolecules supports the increased demand for eco-friendly products. Herein, the present study investigated corncobs (CC) and sunflower stalks (SS) as substitutes for conventional substrates in submerged fermentation with B. subtilis . The agro-industrial residues were submitted to an alkaline pretreatment to obtain hydrolysates rich in hemicelluloses, whose concentrations were determined at 48.8% and 65.7% for corncob and sunflower stalk liquors, respectively. The influence of different concentrations of glucose (0, 2.5, and 5%) and liquor (0, 20%, and 40%) were evaluated according to cell concentration, surface tension reduction rate (STRR), and emulsification index (EI 24 ). Biosurfactants obtained with the hemicellulose liquor of sunflower stalk showed the highest cell concentration (4.57 g/L) and STRR (58.07%), whereas the maximum values of EI 24 (56.90% in hexane, 65.63% in toluene, and 64.86% in kerosene) were achieved by using corncob liquor. All top results were observed at 2.5% glucose, 20% liquor (CC or SS), and 1% mineral salts. Notably, excess glucose or liquor (CC or SS) negatively affected cell growth and biosurfactant performance. The results indicated the potential of corncobs and sunflower stalks as low-cost substrates to produce a high added-value biosurfactant with promising tensoative and emulsifying properties.

Keywords: agro-industrial waste; corncob; sunflower stalk; biosurfactant (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: O13 Q Q0 Q2 Q3 Q5 Q56 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2023
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (3)

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