ReActio - Soluções Enzimáticas: produção de enzimas para catálise na indústria de biodiesel e etanol de segunda geração via fermentação submersa a partir de resíduos agroindustriais

Abstract

Enzymes are protein-based biocatalysts used by various living organisms to catalyze chemical reactions in normal metabolism. It is possible to use these biological catalysts for industrial and commercial purposes through fermentation and purification of said metabolites. Among the enzymes with commercial potential, cellulases and lipases stand out, two groups with great potential in the technological development of the production of second - generation ethanol and biodiesel, respectively. Currently, enzyme production is almost entirely done abroad, even though Brazil has a large potential market for these products. Thus, this study proposes a project of installing an industrial plant for the production of cellulases and lipases from agroindustrial waste. The selected technological route for this production was submerged fermentation, using a single batch mode of production and thus obtaining a rich biomass and enzymatic product from a culture medium. The reaction occurs in a mechanically agitated bioreactor (STR) and the final product is obtained through subsequent downstream processes for enzyme concentration and purification. Therefore, it is proposed to develop two parallel production processes, obtaining high-value-added products with low environmental impact. A plant with a production capacity of 13.15 metric tons/year of lipase enzyme and 16.08 of cellulase enzyme is designed. The final economic analysis of the project indicated an investment of R$ 71.631.729,11 with a payback of 4 years and a net profit of R$ 117.624.748,10 at the end of a 10-year period.