Simulación de un bioproceso para la obtención de etanol a partir del mucílago de cacao

Abstract

The CCN-51 cocoa mucilage is an organic residue generated in large volumes in the cocoa-producing areas of Ecuador, representing a significant environmental impact. Given its rich composition in fermentable sugars, the present work evaluated the use of mucilage as a substrate for bioethanol production through fermentation with the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae strain Fermivin XL, which possesses suitable kinetic characteristics to carry out an efficient fermentative process in the short times. Subsequently, through simulation in the COCO Simulator software, the distillation stage was modeled, with the aim of obtaining a high purity bioethanol (>99%) suitable for use in various industries such as food, chemical and petrochemical. The simulation also allowed optimizing solvent recovery and residual stream treatment, maximizing the utilization of by-products. The simulation results demonstrated the technical feasibility of the proposed process for the integral utilization of CCN-51 cocoa mucilage as a raw material in bioethanol production. This represents a promising alternative to add value to this waste, mitigating its environmental impact and generating a high-energy value biofuel. This integral valorization of cocoa mucilage not only allows mitigating its environmental impact as waste, but also promotes a circular economy approach by converting it into a value-added product. Furthermore, the obtained bioethanol represents a revewable energý source that contributes to the development of environmentally friendly biofuels, offering a more sustainable alternative to fossil fuels and their harmful effects. This study lays the foundation for the biotechnological utilization of other agroindustrial residues in bioenergy production, fostering more ecological practices and a transition towards a low-carbon economy.