Advanced downstream process design for recovery of 2-phenylethanol and 2-phenylethyl acetate after biotransformation

BACKGROUND

2-Phenylethanol (2-PE) and 2-phenylethyl acetate (2-PEAc) are valuable aroma compounds with growing market demands. As an alternative to conventional petrochemical production, more valuable natural forms of these chemicals can be obtained by biotransformation. Low product concentrations, resulting from significant product toxicity to microorganisms, and high boiling points of products complicate recovery process. In situ product recovery by liquid–liquid extraction can be used to increase bioprocess yield and productivity. However, the subsequent purification of 2-PE and 2-PEAc is challenging as a consequence of the multiple phases, high-boiling temperatures of main products, occurrence of remaining substrate and byproducts, and presence of microorganisms.

RESULTS

The main goal of this original work is to improve the competitiveness of the biotechnological production of 2-PE by using in silico methods to develop an advanced industrial process for the final purification after centrifugation. An adaptable dividing-wall column was designed to remove 2-PE with 2-PEAc from organic phase or to esterify 2-PE to pure 2-PEAc. The production flexibility of the developed process allows adjustability to market demand. Additionally, recovery of co-produced ethanol from aqueous phase can increase the economic and environmental performance of the developed process. As confirmed by detailed techno-economic analysis, the proposed processes can cost-effectively (total recovery costs of 0.64–0.72 US$/kg_2-PE/2-PEAc) and energy-efficiently (primary energy requirements of 1.83–2.05 kW_thh/kg_2-PE/2-PEAc) recovery of 2-PE or 2-PEAc after biotransformation.

CONCLUSION

The developed process enhances economic and environmental viability of biotechnological 2-PE production by reducing costs and energy requirements, while ensuring flexibility to adapt to market demands. © 2025 The Author(s). Journal of Chemical Technology and Biotechnology published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of Society of Chemical Industry (SCI).