Green technology applied in the effluents treatment with high lipid content: evalution of biocatalysis in continuous reactors, optimization, and mathematical modeling of the bioprocess.

• Grant number: 25/04341-4
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Doctorate (Direct)
• Start date: August 01, 2025
• End date: April 30, 2029
• Field of knowledge: Engineering - Chemical Engineering
• Principal Investigator: Larissa de Freitas
• Grantee: Vinicius Sampaio Silva
• Host Institution: Escola de Engenharia de Lorena (EEL). Universidade de São Paulo (USP). Lorena , SP, Brazil
• Associated research grant: 23/04243-7 - "Application of green technology for remediation of environmental pollution using heterogeneous catalysts prepared with alternative supports", AP.R

Abstract

With the increasing demand for environmentally sustainable and eco-friendly processes, the field of biocatalysis has gained prominence over conventional chemical catalysis, primarily due to its lower environmental impact, both in terms of process efficiency and final waste management, as well as its milder operating conditions, making it more energy-efficient. Given the high demand for dairy products, industrial production has expanded, resulting in increased effluent generation, which poses potential environmental risks. The use of biological agents, such as enzymes and biocatalysts, has emerged as an effective and environmentally sustainable alternative. Enzyme immobilization techniques emerges as a solution to problems related with enzyme applications by enabling enzyme reuse, enhancing thermal stability, and facilitating implementation in continuous bioprocesses, thereby improving process efficiency and cost-effectiveness. Among the available supports for enzyme immobilization, cellulose-based blends have been gaining prominence due to their ability to combine distinct compounds, providing physicochemical properties for specific applications. Additionally, they are environmentally sustainable, as they are derived from the most abundant biopolymer on Earth. Differently of batch-operated reactors, continuous-flow reactors enable uninterrupted processing, enhancing operational efficiency. In this context, the present study aims to biodegrade lipid contaminants present in effluents from dairy industries using continuously operated bioreactors with lipases immobilized on cellulose-based supports. Furthermore, this research seeks to develop a mathematical model to describe the process dynamics and optimize the bioprocess, contributing to the advancement of green technologies for wastewater treatment and environmental sustainability. (AU)