Evaluation of the application of an organic antiseptic product on bioethanol process

Abstract

The antimicrobial generator of free radicals (formulation denominated Oniorgan) is a formulation in solid form resulting from the mixture of four active principles that in aqueous solution produce the active principles (hydrogen peroxide, peracetic acid and oxygen) currently found in high efficiency in liquid form, therefore, they require special care in handling, transport and storage as they are toxic and explosive. Oniorgan will be offered in a solid form (not requiring additional care because they are not toxic in its handling) and will be activated through dilutions with the release of free radical generators as an alternative for the unprecedented decontamination of the bioethanol production process. The objective of this project is to continue the development of the Oniorgan formulation on a laboratory scale, which will allow us to evaluate the minimum dosage and form of application in the bioethanol production process, in order to achieve maximum product excellence, avoiding excessive dosages. Preliminary results obtained in fermentation processes, on a laboratory and industrial scale, indicate that Oniorgan (used in a concentration of 200 ppm) is efficient in bacterial decontamination. The data showed an average increase in bioethanol production of up to 3%. Oniorgan will be produced in partnership with the company Onibras and will be dissolved and analyzed in response to the levels of active ingredients for dosage and product quality control. The yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae free of antimicrobials and antibiotics and the must of sugar cane juice will be obtained from the industrial process of bioethanol production of the São Martinho-Santa Cruz Group. The fermentability tests will be carried out in partnership with the São Paulo State University (UNESP), School of Pharmaceutical Sciences (FCF), Department of Bioprocess Engineering and Biotechnology. The sugar cane juice must be inoculated with Saccharomyces cerevisiae cream. Fermentations will be conducted for 8 h and the following variables will be monitored: pH, sugars, ethanol, organic acids, viability and vitality of the yeast, in addition to the level of bacterial contamination. The wine and yeast will both be recovered by centrifugation. In this step, the yeast will be treated with different loads of Oniorgan in an acidic or close to neutral medium in order to determine the ideal concentration of the innovative product. The fermentability tests previously selected in the previous step will be evaluated in comparison to the use of monensin and chlorine oxide, with the yeast previously recovered at the end and evaluated for the levels of organochlorines and monensin. In relation to the commercial potential of Oniorgan, there is a wide market, especially in the sugar-energy sector, which makes continuous use of the active ingredients monensin (antibiotic) and chlorine oxide, the main antimicrobials used to control bacterial contamination in fermentative production processes bioethanol. (AU)