Sustainable solvent production from dairy residues

An interdisciplinary research team from the Chair of Bioprocess Engineering at TU Dresden and Fraunhofer IKTS in Hermsdorf is developing an innovative process for the sustainable production of ethyl acetate from whey residues. The process uses the yeast Kluyveromyces marxianus, which converts the lactose contained in the whey directly into ethyl acetate. A particular highlight is the membrane separation, which extracts the solvent directly from the exhaust air of the bioreactor - without the need for energy-intensive distillation. This process not only offers ecological advantages, but also economic potential for the food industry.

For more information, read the full article on Wiley Process Technology: Sustainable solvent production from dairy residues.