Integrated biorefinery model based on production of furans using open-ended high yield processes

Abstract

The biodetoxification pathway for the reduction of the fermentation inhibitor furfural was utilized to produce furfuryl alcohol using both a commercial Bakers’ yeast and six other native strains, selected for their high tolerance towards the inhibitory effects of furfural. This study explores the potential of the microbial method as an environmentally-benign alternative to the conventional catalytic hydrogenation process for producing furfuryl alcohol used extensively in industry. The microbial method for furfuryl alcohol production provides the benefit of a homogeneous biochemical conversion, devoid of chemical catalysis, in conjunction with other carbohydrate-based processes (e.g. production of ethanol). Results showed that the yields of furfuryl alcohol using the laboratory yeast strains exceeded 90% of the theoretical yield at a furfural concentration of 25 g l⁻¹, which are comparable to yields obtained using the catalytic process. Furfuryl alcohol yields progressively declined as the furfural concentration was increased up to 65 g l⁻¹, where the yields averaged over 37%. Piecing together novel high-yield conversion processes for furfural and furfuryl alcohol, an integrated biorefinery model based on the production of furans has been envisioned. Such a facility bypasses the need for high pressure hydrogenation using copper chromite catalysts and hydrogen and azeotropic distillation of furfural to produce dilute streams of both notable platform chemicals.