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Biocatalysis in Water or in Non-Conventional Media? Adding the CO 2 Production for the Debate.
- Source :
- Molecules; Sep2023, Vol. 28 Issue 18, p6452, 10p
- Publication Year :
- 2023
-
Abstract
- Biocatalysis can be applied in aqueous media and in different non-aqueous solutions (non-conventional media). Water is a safe solvent, yet many synthesis-wise interesting substrates cannot be dissolved in aqueous solutions, and thus low concentrations are often applied. Conversely, non-conventional media may enable higher substrate loadings but at the cost of using (fossil-based) organic solvents. This paper determines the CO<subscript>2</subscript> production—expressed as kg CO<subscript>2</subscript>·kg product<superscript>−1</superscript>—of generic biotransformations in water and non-conventional media, assessing both the upstream and the downstream. The key to reaching a diminished environmental footprint is the type of wastewater treatment to be implemented. If the used chemicals enable a conventional (mild) wastewater treatment, the production of CO<subscript>2</subscript> is limited. If other (pre)treatments for the wastewater are needed to eliminate hazardous chemicals and solvents, higher environmental impacts can be expected (based on CO<subscript>2</subscript> production). Water media for biocatalysis are more sustainable during the upstream unit—the biocatalytic step—than non-conventional systems. However, processes with aqueous media often need to incorporate extractive solvents during the downstream processing. Both strategies result in comparable CO<subscript>2</subscript> production if extractive solvents are recycled at least 1–2 times. Under these conditions, a generic industrial biotransformation at 100 g L<superscript>−1</superscript> loading would produce 15–25 kg CO<subscript>2</subscript>·kg product<superscript>−1</superscript> regardless of the applied media. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
Details
- Language :
- English
- ISSN :
- 14203049
- Volume :
- 28
- Issue :
- 18
- Database :
- Complementary Index
- Journal :
- Molecules
- Publication Type :
- Academic Journal
- Accession number :
- 172395552
- Full Text :
- https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules28186452