Evaluación de la producción de biopolímero a partir de un extracto de polisacárido de arveja (Pisum sativum) a escala laboratorio

Abstract

El siguiente trabajo tiene como objetivo evaluar la producción de un biopolímero a partir de la extracción de polisacáridos de Arveja China (Pisum sativum), utilizando diversos métodos de extracción previamente reportados para fuentes vegetales, con el propósito de desarrollar una alternativa de producto con valor comercial. Se evaluaron cuatro métodos diferentes de extracción de polisacáridos que incluían combinaciones de operaciones como licuado, filtración, sedimentación, Centrífugación y secado. Los métodos fueron seleccionados en base a su rendimiento de extracción, facilidad de implementación y pureza del polisacárido extraído. El método 4, que combinó varias etapas de Centrífugación y sedimentación, junto con un secado controlado mediante circulación de oxígeno, demostró ser el más efectivo, alcanzando un rendimiento de extracción de polisacáridos del 4.89% ± 0.15%, con un contenido de cenizas del 0.04% ± 0.01%, lo que refleja una alta pureza del extracto. Los polisacáridos extraídos fueron sometidos a modificaciones químicas utilizando glicerina, ácido acético y NaOH, logrando un rendimiento final de biopolímero del 68.01% ± 1.074. Las propiedades del biomaterial, como la viscosidad (868.33 ± 1.45 Cp), la temperatura de gelatinización (69.40 ± 1.35 °C), la resistencia térmica hasta 120°C ± 1.5°C y el porcentaje de absorción de agua (16% ± 0.025), sugieren su potencial aplicación para usos comerciales como una alternativa sostenible a materiales plásticos convencionales. Además, se propusieron operaciones unitarias como filtrado en prensa, sedimentación, Centrífugado, secado con tiro inducido, molienda con molino de discos, tamizado y polimerización en reactor, propuestas como base para el futuro escalamiento a nivel de planta piloto.

The following work aims to evaluate the production of a biopolymer from the extraction of polysaccharides from Chinese pea (Pisum sativum), using various extraction methods previously reported for plant sources, with the purpose of developing a commercially valuable product alternative. To achieve this general objective, several specific objectives were established: (1) to determine the extraction method that maximizes the yield of polysaccharides, (2) to use the extracted polysaccharide in chemical modification methods to obtain a biomaterial and calculate its yield, (3) to determine the physicochemical and mechanical properties of the obtained biomaterial to propose its possible applications, (4) to compare the properties of the biomaterial with commercially available materials, and (5) to propose unit operations of the process for future scale-up to a pilot plant level. Four different polysaccharide extraction methods were evaluated, including combinations of operations such as blending, filtration, sedimentation, Centrífugation, and drying. The methods were selected based on their extraction yield, ease of implementation, and the purity of the extracted polysaccharide. Method 4, which combined several stages of Centrífugation and sedimentation along with controlled drying through oxygen circulation, proved to be the most effective, achieving a polysaccharide extraction yield of 4.89% ± 0.15%, with an ash content of 0.04% ± 0.01%, reflecting a high purity of the extract. The extracted polysaccharides were subjected to chemical modifications using glycerin, acetic acid, and NaOH, achieving a final biopolymer yield of 68.01% ± 1.074. The properties of the biomaterial, such as viscosity (868.33 ± 1.45 Cp), gelatinization temperature (69.40 ± 1.35 °C), thermal resistance up to 120°C ± 1.5°C, and water absorption percentage (16% ± 0.025), suggest its potential application for commercial uses as a sustainable alternative to conventional plastic materials. Furthermore, unit operations such as press filtration, sedimentation, Centrífugation, induced draft drying, milling with a disc mill, sieving, and polymerization in a reactor were proposed as the basis for future scaling to a pilot plant level. These proposed unit operations aim to establish the foundation for efficiently scaling up the process, ensuring its technical feasibility and cost-effectiveness at an industrial scale.