Study of Bacteriocin Production by Ligilactobacillus salivarius 71 Cultivated on Sugarcane Molasses and Corn Steep Liquor, and Techno-Economic Analysis of the Process

• Grant number: 25/08711-0
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships abroad - Research Internship - Doctorate
• Start date: September 25, 2025
• End date: September 24, 2026
• Field of knowledge: Engineering - Chemical Engineering
• Principal Investigator: Ricardo Pinheiro de Souza Oliveira
• Grantee: Taciana Freire de Oliveira
• Supervisor: Solange Ines Mussatto Dragone
• Host Institution: Faculdade de Ciências Farmacêuticas (FCF). Universidade de São Paulo (USP). São Paulo , SP, Brazil
• Institution abroad: Technical University of Denmark (DTU), Denmark
• Associated to the scholarship: 24/01163-5 - PRODUCTION OF BACTERIOCINS BY LACTIC ACID BACTERIA USING AGROINDUSTRIAL BY-PRODUCTS AND ANALYSIS OF THE TECHNICAL-ECONOMIC FEASIBILITY OF THE PROCESS, BP.DR

Abstract

New development models integrating economic, environmental, and social dimensions have emerged in response to the principles of sustainable development. In this context, there is an increasing need for innovative production and consumption approaches based on economic models that optimize resource efficiency while minimizing waste. Sustainability in the food industry is particularly critical for ensuring food security for future generations, requiring efficient resource management from raw material selection to waste treatment. In recent years, the food industry has adapted to evolving consumer demands and global challenges by developing innovative products while prioritizing sustainability across the production chain. A key aspect of this shift is the growing preference for clean-label products, which emphasize natural ingredients sourced from sustainable supply chains. Within this framework, bacteriocins-antimicrobial peptides produced by lactic acid bacteria (LAB)-have gained attention as potential alternatives to synthetic food preservatives. However, LAB-based bacteriocin production is predominantly conducted using de Man, Rogosa, and Sharpe (MRS) medium in batch cultures, resulting in low yields and high production costs that hinder large-scale commercialization. To address these challenges, optimizing bioprocesses for bacteriocin production is essential, encompassing culture medium selection, process control strategies, and techno-economic analysis. Accordingly, this study aims to develop a sustainable bacteriocin production process using LAB, incorporating both economic and environmental sustainability criteria. To enhance strain adaptation to an alternative culture medium composed of sugarcane molasses and corn steep liquor, the Adaptive Laboratory Evolution (ALE) technique will be employed. Furthermore, novel bioprocess strategies will be investigated, including realkalized fed-batch fermentation-an approach with significant potential yet limited exploration in bacteriocin production. Finally, a comprehensive economic assessment will be conducted to evaluate the industrial feasibility of the proposed technologies. This research aligns with the principles of the circular economy and waste reduction, promoting the efficient use of natural resources and advancing sustainable development. By integrating innovation and sustainability, this study contributes to the expansion of knowledge in a strategically important and rapidly growing field.