Viabilidade econômica da produção de xilitol por Saccharomyces cerevisiae modificada in silico

Abstract

Xylitol is a natural sweetener with a low glycemic index, making it a good alternative to sugar. In addition to being a healthier option, its sustainable production can utilize lignocellulosic residues, such as sugarcane bagasse, reducing environmental impacts. With the growing demand for healthier alternatives, xylitol has been gaining prominence in the market as a viable option for the food and pharmaceutical industries. In this context, this study aimed to evaluate the economic feasibility of xylitol production through the fermentation of lignocellulosic residues from sugarcane bagasse as a substrate. The yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae, previously modified in silico in a metabolic engineering study, is applied in the fermentation process. The modeling of the xylitol production process was carried out using the SuperPro Designer process simulation software. Parametric sensitivity studies were also conducted to assess the feasibility of the process under variations in conversion, production scale, and xylitol price. The economic feasibility was confirmed, but the choice of the best combination of parameters depends on the selected priorities. An efficiency of 95% is the best way to optimize yield without significantly impacting OPEX.The combination of a larger scale, higher conversion, and higher selling price favors the Payback. For the IRR, the most viable project is linked to a larger scale and a higher xylitol price. Fermentation influences the results, but the studied conversion range had a smaller impact compared to other factors. For future studies, it is recommended to expand the conversion range and establish more detailed metrics to optimize economic analysis.