D-lactic acid recovery from groundnut shell hydrolysate using ion exchange resin
Innovative process for producing high-purity D-lactic acid from agricultural waste (groundnut shells) using in-situ recovery techniques with ion exchange resin. This method enhances yield and purity, leveraging sustainable bioprocessing for economic viability.
Overview
This solution presents a sustainable and economically viable method for producing D-lactic acid from groundnut shell hydrolysate, an agricultural waste product rich in lignocellulosic biomass. By employing in-situ recovery techniques utilizing ion exchange resin (IRA-67), the process significantly enhances the yield and purity of D-lactic acid. This approach addresses product inhibition and optimizes the pH levels necessary for effective microbial activity, thereby improving the efficiency of D-lactic acid production. The use of low-cost renewable agricultural waste as a substrate further enhances the sustainability of this bioprocess.
Technical specifications
- Substrate Preparation: Lignocellulosic biomass from groundnut shells undergoes pretreatment to improve enzymatic accessibility.
- Microbial Fermentation: Utilizes specific strains of homo-D-lactic acid bacteria such as Lactobacillus coryniformis and Lactobacillus plantarum to achieve high optical purity (~99%).
- In-situ Recovery: The ion exchange resin IRA-67 is integrated to separate D-lactic acid from lactate salts, achieving recovery efficiencies greater than 90%.
- Purification: The fermentation broth is purified to produce commercial-grade D-lactic acid with purity levels between 80-93%.
Technology readiness level
The current technology readiness level is 4, indicating that the concept has been validated in a lab environment and is progressing towards further validation and optimization.
About Visvesvaraya National Institute of Technology
Visvesvaraya National Institute of Technology (VNIT) is a public engineering university in Nagpur, India, spanning undergraduate through doctoral programs and known for an applied‑research culture. Industry engages through co‑located labs, shared instrumentation, and prototyping shops that support rapid design, testing, and validation. A sponsored‑research and industry liaison office streamlines MOUs, IP, and contracting, and faculty provide consultancy and standards‑oriented testing to regional manufacturers. Leveraging Nagpur’s central location and proximity to the MIHAN special economic zone, partners gain convenient access to national logistics and industrial supply chains; research is supported by competitive funding from DST/SERB, CSIR, DRDO, and MeitY, with technology transfer and startup formation enabled by dedicated IP services and campus incubation programs.
delivered to your inbox.