Recovery of Levulinic Acid in its Production Using Agriculture Waste Residue

Abstract

Agriculture waste residue can be termed as low-cost renewable sources capable of sufficient energy and chemical supply in the future. Levulinic acid or 4-oxopentanoic acid (C5H8O3) is a carboxylic acid with a ketonic group. It is used in nylon, fuel, pharmaceutical, food, tobacco, cosmetics, solvent, etc. The demand for levulinic acid is continuously increasing in various sectors such as biofuel and chemical industry. According to the global industry report, the growth in demand for levulinic acid is expected by 6% grow whereas according to CAGR from 2014-20 5.4 % growth, especially in the pharmaceutical industry. The production of levulinic is the major challenge through renewable sources for a sustainable environment. Its production through the biomass can be with catalysed hydrolysis process. In this process, sulphuric acid is used which produces toxic gases and hazardous materials. Levulinic acid is the green building block chemical for the next generation. The various agriculture waste residue, e.g. bagasse, rice straw, wheat straw, corn straw, rice husk, grass, etc. can be used as raw material. The present paper discusses the production methods of levulinic acid using various agriculture waste residues and also discussed and its yield.