Production of Ethyl Lactate from Dairy Waste
Current research at the Environmental Bioprocessing Lab is evaluating the potential of a bioprocess for the production of green solvents from naturally derived feedstocks. The concept is based on fermenting the organic content of a renewable resource into the targeted alcohol and acid, transfer of the two intermediate products into a suitable solvent via liquid-liquid extraction and esterification into the desired ester employing lipases. We have exemplified this idea through effective production of ethyl lactate from cheese whey. The group is collaborating with Dr. Ferreira Dias for evaluation of different non-commercial lipases in the specific reaction.