Reactive Extraction of Betaine from Sugarbeet Processing Byproducts

Abstract

Betaine from natural sources is still preferred over its synthetic analogue in secondary industries. It is currently obtained by expensive separation means, which is one of the main reasons for its high cost. In this study, reactive extraction of betaine from sugarbeet industry byproducts, that is, molasses and vinasse, was investigated. Dinonylnaphthalenedisulfonic acid (DNNDSA) was used as the extraction agent, and the initial concentration of betaine in the aqueous solutions of byproducts was adjusted to 0.1 M. Although maximum efficiencies were obtained at unadjusted pH values (pH 6, 5, and 6 for aqueous betaine, molasses, and vinasse solutions, respectively), the effect of aqueous pH on betaine extraction was negligible in the range of 2–12. The possible reaction mechanisms between betaine and DNNDSA under acidic, neutral, and basic conditions were discussed. Increasing the extractant concentration significantly increased (especially in the range of 0.1–0.4 M) the yields, and temperature positively (but slightly) affected betaine extraction. The highest extraction efficiencies (∼71.5, 71, and 67.5% in a single step for aqueous betaine, vinasse, and molasses solutions, respectively) were obtained with toluene as an organic phase solvent, and it was followed by dimethyl phthalate, 1-octanol, or methyl isobutyl ketone, indicating that the efficiency increased with decreasing polarity. Recoveries from pure betaine solutions were higher (especially at higher pH values and [DNNDSA] < 0.5 M) than those from vinasse and molasses solutions, indicating the adverse influence of byproduct constituents; however, the lower yields were not due to sucrose. Stripping was affected by the type of organic phase solvent, and a significant amount (66–91% in single step) of betaine in the organic phase was transferred to the second aqueous phase using NaOH as the stripping agent. Reactive extraction has a great potential for use in betaine recovery due to its high efficiency, simplicity, low energy demand, and cost.

Betaine as a Functional Ingredient: Metabolism, Health-Promoting Attributes, Food Sources, Applications and Analysis Methods

“…For secondary industries, betaine can be produced by chemical synthesis or by relatively expensive isolation from sugarbeets or byproducts of beet processing. Natural betaine has superior functional properties compared to its synthetic analogue, and its use is preferred by the pharmaceutical, cosmetic, and healthcare industries [ 8 , 9 , 10 , 11 ].…”

Eco-Friendly Approach for the Recovery of Lactic Acid by Complex Extraction

“…As previously stated, tertiary amines cannot interact and extract dissociated acids. Hence, initial pH of the aqueous medium (i.e., the ratio or concentration of undissociated LA in the aqueous phase) is critical to achieve an efficient recovery with TOA ( p < 0.05, f > 5). − …”

“…Complex­(ation) extraction is an affinity based extraction technique and has shown to be one of the key separation processes for recovering various types of chemicals from dilute solutions . It is an attractive technique due to its low energy demand, process simplicity, low-cost, controllable selectivity, and high efficiency at optimum conditions. − Moreover, the stability of the target chemical is not affected by heat since the process is generally carried out at room temperature. − The method has been tested for several years for the extraction of value-added products such as amino acids, amines, alcohols, aldehydes, vitamins, antibiotics, phenols, metals, enantiomers, and carboxylic acids. ,, The desired product, e.g., LA, is extracted from an aqueous production medium (i.e., fermentation) to an organic phase in step 1 (complex extraction) and then transferred to another (second) aqueous phase in step 2 (stripping or back extraction). The choice of extractant-diluent pairing for the organic phase is critical to maximize efficiency and minimize costs and toxicity risks.…”

“…The focus of this study is the evaluation of eight vegetable oils as organic phase diluents during the complex extraction of LA, mainly to determine whether these natural, nontoxic, and inexpensive alternatives can be used in the extraction process, compare their performances with an active diluent, such as 1-octanol, which has shown to be one of the most efficient diluent in the literature, and observe the effects of the parameters, e.g., pH, temperature, and concentration (LA and TOA), when these eco-friendly diluents are used in the system. − Tertiary amines have shown to be effective alternatives for the purpose; ,− therefore, TOA was used as the extractant. In addition, the LA extracted to the organic phase was recovered to another (second) aqueous phase using several stripping agents, and the suitability of the regenerated organic phase for reuse was tested.…”

“… 20 It is an attractive technique due to its low energy demand, process simplicity, low-cost, controllable selectivity, and high efficiency at optimum conditions. 21 − 24 Moreover, the stability of the target chemical is not affected by heat since the process is generally carried out at room temperature. 25 − 27 The method has been tested for several years for the extraction of value-added products such as amino acids, amines, alcohols, aldehydes, vitamins, antibiotics, phenols, metals, enantiomers, and carboxylic acids.…”