Biomass Conversion Research Laboratory, Michigan State University, Lansing, Michigan 48910, USA.
Biotechnol Bioeng. 2011 Mar;108(3):530-7. doi: 10.1002/bit.22973. Epub 2010 Nov 23.
Leaf protein concentrates (LPC) can be used as a valuable co-product to cellulosic biofuel production and can also mitigate the food versus fuel controversy. Two major approaches have been considered for LPC production: a well-characterized mechanical pressing method and a less studied method involving aqueous extraction with recovery using ultrafiltration. Experimental results with switchgrass extracts show low protein recovery after filtration, particularly if protein is recovered after cellulose hydrolysis. Economic modeling suggests that aqueous extraction costs less than mechanical pressing, but due to lower protein yields and lower quality, overall profit is higher for mechanical pressing versus aqueous extraction ($26/Mg feedstock vs. $14/Mg). If modest improvements can be made in extraction yields, filtration recovery, and protein quality, then the profitability of the aqueous extraction approach can be increased to $37/Mg feedstock. This study suggests that aqueous extraction is a viable alternative for LPC co-production in a biorefinery if key improvements can be made in the process.
叶蛋白浓缩物（LPC）可用作纤维素生物燃料生产的有价值的副产物，也可以缓解粮食与燃料的矛盾。目前有两种主要方法可用于 LPC 的生产：一种是经过充分研究的机械压榨方法，另一种是研究较少的水提取法，该方法涉及使用超滤进行回收。用柳枝稷提取物进行的实验结果表明，过滤后蛋白质的回收率很低，特别是在纤维素水解后回收蛋白质时。经济模型表明，水提取的成本低于机械压榨，但由于产率和质量较低，与水提取相比，机械压榨的总体利润更高（每原料 26 美元对每原料 14 美元）。如果可以适度提高提取产率、过滤回收率和蛋白质质量，那么水提取方法的盈利能力可以提高到每原料 37 美元。本研究表明，如果在该过程中可以进行关键改进，那么水提取是生物精炼厂中 LPC 联产的可行替代方法。
