The development of integrated biorefineries is a key factor for the sustainable production of high-added-value products. In accordance with circular economy principles, waste cooking oils (WCOs) are renewable and sustainable feedstocks, which contribute to a reduced environmental impact. Frequently, this waste is wrongly disposed of into municipal sewage systems, thereby creating problems for the environment and increasing treatment costs in wastewater treatment plants. The focus of the present study regards the transformation of WCOs into Hydroxy Fatty Acids (HFA) using a chemo-enzymatic approach. The proposed process consists of the first acid-catalyzed hydrolysis of triglycerides to obtain free fatty acids. Afterward, the enzymatic transformation of WCO-derived free fatty acids into (R)−10-hydroxystearic acid (10-HSA) employing a recombinant Escherichia coli whole-cell biocatalyst expressing the Em_OhyA was performed. To improve process cost-effectiveness through enzyme recovery, experiments were conducted using catalyst immobilization within calcium alginate beads.
HYDROXY FATTY ACID PRODUCTION BY CHEMO-ENZYMATIC CONVERSION OF WASTE COOKING OILS
Caporusso A.;Biundo A.;Caramia P.;Agrimi G.;Pisano I.
2024-01-01
Abstract
The development of integrated biorefineries is a key factor for the sustainable production of high-added-value products. In accordance with circular economy principles, waste cooking oils (WCOs) are renewable and sustainable feedstocks, which contribute to a reduced environmental impact. Frequently, this waste is wrongly disposed of into municipal sewage systems, thereby creating problems for the environment and increasing treatment costs in wastewater treatment plants. The focus of the present study regards the transformation of WCOs into Hydroxy Fatty Acids (HFA) using a chemo-enzymatic approach. The proposed process consists of the first acid-catalyzed hydrolysis of triglycerides to obtain free fatty acids. Afterward, the enzymatic transformation of WCO-derived free fatty acids into (R)−10-hydroxystearic acid (10-HSA) employing a recombinant Escherichia coli whole-cell biocatalyst expressing the Em_OhyA was performed. To improve process cost-effectiveness through enzyme recovery, experiments were conducted using catalyst immobilization within calcium alginate beads.I documenti in IRIS sono protetti da copyright e tutti i diritti sono riservati, salvo diversa indicazione.
