Downstream Approach Routes for the Purification and Recovery of Lactobionic Acid.

Inga Sarenkova,Sara Sáez-Orviz,Manuel Rendueles,Inga Ciprovica,Mario Díaz,Jelena Zagorska

doi:10.3390/foods11040583

Abstract

The successful development of a lactobionic acid (LBA) bioconversion process on an industrial scale demands the selection of appropriate downstream methodological approaches to achieve product purification once the bioconversion of LBA is completed. These approaches depend on the nature of the substrate available for LBA production, and their necessary implementation could constitute a drawback when compared to the lesser effort required in downstream approaches in the production of LBA obtained by chemical synthesis from refined lactose. Thus, the aim of this research is to separate LBA from an acid whey substrate after bioconversion with Pseudomonas taetrolens. Freeze drying, crystallization, adsorption with activated carbon, microfiltration, centrifugation, and precipitation with 96% (v/v) ethanol were carried out to separate and purify LBA. The closest product to commercial LBA was obtained using precipitation with ethanol, obtaining a white powder with 95 ± 2% LBA concentration. The procedure described in this paper could help to produce LBA on an industrial scale via microbial bioconversion from acid whey, developing a promising biotechnological approach for lactose conversion.

Highlights

Lactobionic acid (LBA), a versatile PHA containing two hydroxyl groups per molecule, has as received commercial recognition as a compound with numerous auspicious applications in the food, cosmetics, chemical and pharmaceutical industries, as well as in medicine [1,2]
The research findings indicate that the microbial bioconversion of lactose into LBA with Pseudomonas taetrolens is successful when using whey as a substrate [5]
Sáez-Orviz et al [22] have proved that microfiltration eliminates endotoxins from sweet whey substrate after fermentation with Pseudomonas taetrolens, which means that the obtained LBA product is safe for use in the food industry

Summary

Introduction

Lactobionic acid (LBA), a versatile PHA (polyhydroxy acid) containing two hydroxyl groups per molecule, has as received commercial recognition as a compound with numerous auspicious applications in the food, cosmetics, chemical and pharmaceutical industries, as well as in medicine [1,2]. Because of its wide application, the production value of LBA is increasing worldwide [3]. LBA is mainly obtained from lactose by chemical, electrochemical, heterogenic or biocatalytic synthesis. These processes are labor intensive and expensive [4]. LBA production by microbial enzymatic routes offers extremely promising systems able to take advantage of the costs and benefits of using by-products, such as whey. The biotechnological approach to LBA production from whey reduces the production costs, and plays a significant role in the bio-remediation of waste [7]. The research findings indicate that the microbial bioconversion of lactose into LBA with Pseudomonas taetrolens is successful when using whey as a substrate [5]

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