The economic feasibility of commercial bioactive compound process from fermented soybeans

Polyphenols, bioactive compounds from fermented soybeans, promoted apoptosis and autophagy in melanoma cells, causing cancer cell death. This study investigated the economic feasibility of upscaling bioactive compound production. First, the process was designed, and the equipment was sized and quoted. Later, the financial feasibility was assessed regarding the net present value (NPV), internal rate of return (IRR), and payback period. The bioactive compound 30.7 kg was obtained from boiled soybean 355.4 kg at the production cost of 26.01 USD/kg and 287.2 kg of byproduct. When the selling price was 55 USD/kg, NPV, IRR, and payback period were USD 842,044.88, 28.5%, and 9.19 years, respectively. The sensitivity analysis was also performed if the annual operative cost and byproduct prices were varied at ±20%. It was found that working capital had the most impact on project feasibility. If there were a 20% cost reduction, the NPV would increase by USD 125,428.68 from the base NPV. With the product selling price increased to 88 USD/kg, NPV, IRR, and payback period would be USD 2,104,591.41, 60%, and 5.08 years, respectively. Consequently, a higher annual income of USD 287,679.2 and a profit of USD 190,313.42 were obtained, showing the practical economic feasibility of commercial production.