Original Article:
An overview on the conversion of glycerol to value-added industrial products via chemical and biochemical routes
Paula Jéssyca Morais Lima, et al.
Biotechnology and Applied Biochemistry, 2022, 69(6), 2794-2818.
10.1002/bab.2098
Glycerol (1, 2, 3-propanetriol) is an organic compound commonly found in most animal and vegetable oils. It contains three hydroxyl groups and has the characteristics of alcohol. Many chemical and biochemical processes use glycerol as a raw material or as an intermediate ingredient in the manufacture of other products. This article reviews efficient pathways for the conversion of glycerol into value-added industrial products through chemical and biochemical pathways.
1) Application of glycerol in chemical process
Glycerol has great potential in the production of value-added derivatives, such as stream reforming of glycerol to produce H2, hydrogenolysis of glycerol to propylene glycol (1,2-PD), dehydration of glycerol to acrolein, conversion of glycerol in epichlorohydrin (ECH), condensation with furfural, transesterification of glycerol carbonate, etc. The chemical transformation processes are shown in the figure.
2) Application of glycerol in biological processes
Glycerol is used as a raw material by many microorganisms in various biological processes and converted into higher value-added products through biotechnological pathways, also minimizing its impact on the environment. Some examples of biocatalytically converted glycerol products and their applications include:
> 3-Propanediol: Used for cosmetics, antifreezing fluid, heat transfer fluid, polymers, fibers.
> Propionic acid: Production of solvents, pesticides, artificial flavors, thermoplastics and pharmaceuticals.
> n-Butanol: Organic solvent, plastics, paints, fragrances, detergents and pharmaceuticals.
> Citric acid: Emulsifying agent in ice creams, pharmaceuticals, cosmetics, cleansing agents.
Chemicals Related in the Paper:
