Valorisation of Jatropha curcas: Solubilisation of proteins and sugars from the NaOH extracted de-oiled press cake

Abstract

In this study, we investigated the possibilities for increasing the valorisation of de-oiled Jatropha press cake (DO-JPC). The studied raw material is the by-product of the alkaline protein extraction of the DO-JPC: NaOH Extracted DO-JPC (NEDO-JPC). Protein solubilisation of NEDO-JPC was performed under neutral and acidic conditions (pH 2, 100 mM maleic acid), at elevated temperature (100, 120, and 140 °C), and at 5% (w/w) dry solids loading. After the treatment, the amount of solubilised protein was determined, as well as the solubilisation of polymeric sugars and formation of sugar degradation products furfural and 5-hydroxymethylfurfural (HMF). Although a clear influence is shown for temperature, no difference in protein solubilisation was found between treatments at pH 7 and pH 2. A maximum of 25% (w/w) of the available protein was solubilised, at 140 °C. The lignocellulose fraction of NEDO-JPC proved relatively recalcitrant to acid hydrolysis, suggesting a more intense treatment to be necessary to sufficiently increase accessibility for cellulolytic enzymes in a lignocellulosic bioethanol process. At €8.00 per tonne DO-JPC, it is concluded that the possibilities for valorisation of the protein fraction of NEDO-JPC at neutral and acid pH are limited, leaving the lignocellulose fraction as a source of valorisation to be investigated.