Recent advances, perspectives and challenges on levulinic acid production from residual biomass

Abstract

Over the years, several studies have focused on integrally exploring lignocellulosic biomass to achieve satisfactory yields of different bioproducts and establish economically viable industrial processes. Among the bioproducts, levulinic acid (LA) has emerged as one of the top platform products derived from biomass, mainly owing to its expanding market economic position, which can stimulate viability and attract the attention of investors in the field. Considered a building block because of its versatile intermediate chemical structure, it can be used to synthesize many compounds with applications in fuels, pharmaceutical and cosmetics industries, food additives and solvents. The main synthesis route for obtaining LA is the degradation of cellulose via acid catalysis. In this context, lignocellulosic biomass is a promising and sustainable way of getting LA. Recent research has explored a potential path to full technological development associated with LA from various biomass and different catalysts. In this scenario, a comprehensive review concerning biomass for LA production and the challenges in the synthesis process is proposed. The primary studies conducted over the years and approaches to using and appreciating residual biomass are also discussed. This work also considers the use of technological tools to optimize the production of LA and seeks to contribute sustainable proposals still little explored, such as the intensification of the process and the use of fruit residues in the synthesis of this promising building block.

Catalytic Conversion of Levulinic Acid into 2-Methyltetrahydrofuran: A Review

“…HMF and furfural serve as precursors for the synthesis of Levulinic acid (LA) [ 18 ]. LA plays a crucial role as a primary precursor in catalytic transformations for the production of fuels and chemicals [ 19 , 20 ].…”

Optimisation of the biological production of levulinic acid in a mixed microbial culture fed with synthetic grape pomace

“…Among the different platform chemicals derived from biomass is levulinic acid (LA), also known as 4-oxopentanoic acid, a linear C5-alkyl carbon chain and considered one of the 'Top 10' value-added compounds in the world (Hayes and Becer, 2020). The estimated global market for LA is around US$ 22 million and is soon expected to increase enormously (Bazoti et al, 2023). Levulinic acid is a multipurpose platform chemical derived from biomass that can be used for synthesising a wide variety of potential biobased chemicals such as additives for fuels (methyl tetrahydrofuran and levulinate esters), biodegradable herbicides (delta-amino acid levulinic), resins and plasticisers (diphenolic acid) (Santiago and Guirardello, 2020;Charnnok and Laosiripojana, 2022).…”

“…As GP is produced at a rate of 0.13 tonnes per tonne of wine grapes, it is necessary to implement a suitable management method for its valorisation (Croxatto-Vega et al, 2019). Hence, the bioproduction of LA by using an MMC fed with GP could be an attractive waste management due to the high industrial potential and economic value of this chemical platform, as the estimated value of the LA global market is predicted to reach US$ 30 million in 2027 (Bazoti et al, 2023). Given the potential interest in developing a biological process for the synthesis of LA, it is mandatory to identify the operational conditions that favour the specific bioproduction of LA by an MMC using the F/F culture strategy.…”

Hydrothermal and microwave‐assisted synthesis of levulinic acid from watermelon residue

“…It is considered a building‐block product because it has a chemical structure that allows application as a versatile intermediate chemical, participating in the synthesis of several chemical compounds, with applications in fuels, the pharmaceutical and cosmetics industries, food additives, solvents, and other products. The exploitation of fruit residues is an opportunity to contribute, in a promising and sustainable way to obtaining LA because, currently, the main route for the production of LA is from the degradation of cellulose through acid catalysis, where cellulose is hydrolyzed glucose and this, in turn, is dehydrated in hydroxymethylfurfural (HMF), which undergoes rehydration to levulinic acid 9–11 …”

“…The exploitation of fruit residues is an opportunity to contribute, in a promising and sustainable way to obtaining LA because, currently, the main route for the production of LA is from the degradation of cellulose through acid catalysis, where cellulose is hydrolyzed glucose and this, in turn, is dehydrated in hydroxymethylfurfural (HMF), which undergoes rehydration to levulinic acid. [9][10][11] This study aimed to evaluate the production of levulinic acid from watermelon residue for the first time, using mineral acids -hydrochloric acid (HCl) and sulfuric acid (H 2 SO 4 ) -as catalysts in two reaction systems, autoclave and microwave oven (MW).…”