Scientists are using waste from Greek yoghurt to create ‘green’ antibiotics

·

The modern biomedical industry requires new approaches to the production of antimicrobials. The production of Greek yoghurt is often wasteful, so research has been carried out recently into its uses in the field of “green” antibiotics.

Waste process of Greek yoghurt

Three cups of milk are required to produce one cup of yogurt.

The main component of the waste stream is acid whey, which has a comparatively high acidity, BOD (biological oxygen demand) and COD (chemical oxygen demand) concentration.  

Combined with large volumes of wastewater, the COD/BOD elements mean that Greek yogurt production has a high environmental footprint.

Using acid whey for energy production

Acid whey has shown promise as a feedstock for energy production. It has been widely used to produce high-quality feedstock for animals, due to the highly concentrated presence of sugars, protein and lipids.

However, this is limited by the problem of lactose fermentation and the production of acid whey being higher than the demand in the animal industry. A large amount of this valuable by-product is going to waste.

Using acid whey for ‘green’ antibiotics

Recent research carried out by a team in Germany, found that acid whey can be converted to MCCAs (medium-chain carboxylic acids).

MCCAs are present in the biofuels and chemicals that produce ‘green’ antimicrobials. The research team are proposing that the acid whey from Greek yoghurt should be utilised by converting it into MCCA oil.

There are many environmental factors that currently lead to an increase in the cost of any industrial process using MCCAs. This makes it economically unviable at the scales of production needed for large-scale use of MCCA oil as a feedstock and “green” microbial.

Though, the continued research that has been undertaken has provided proof that there may be a possibility of future sustainability and cost-reduction in this field.

You can read the full scientific journal here.

Jiajie Xu et al. (2018) Temperature-Phased Conversion of Acid Whey Waste Into Medium-Chain Carboxylic Acids via Lactic Acid: No External e-donor, Joule Vol. 2, Issue 2 Pages 280-295

With reference to News Medical.

Advertisement

Share:

KEEP UP TO DATE WITH TGH

By subscribing you accept our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy.

Advertisement

Latest News

Creditors of Bill Ferg’s Lobster Cave face total loss as rescue bid stalls

Creditors of Melbourne’s iconic seafood venue The Lobster Cave have been warned they are unlikely to recover any of the millions owed.

Jerusalem Patriarch demands action after West Bank attacks on sacred sites

Christian leaders have accused Israeli settlers of attacking sacred sites and homes in the West Bank. Read more here.

Greece among first EU members to trial internet age-verification app

Greece and four other EU member states will be the first to pilot a new age-verification system for internet users.

Woman who confessed to killing infants moved to high-security Korydallos prison

Eirini Mourtzoukou, the 25-year-old woman who has confessed to killing at least three infants, has been transferred to Korydallos Prison.

GOCNSW youth lead heartfelt farewell to Greek Consul General in Sydney

The Greek Orthodox Community of NSW hosted a special farewell reception for the Consul General of Greece in Sydney, Yannis Mallikourtis.

You May Also Like

BREAKING: Golden Dawn party members found guilty of running criminal organisation

A five-and-a-half-year trial of the far-right Golden Dawn political group came to a close on Wednesday after a BLANK verdict was given to the criminal organisation.

Team Greece crush Team France in Plate Of Origin cook-off

Dezi and Penny from Team Greece crushed Team France's Austine and Leo in last night's thrilling episode of Plate of Origin.

Stefanos Tsitsipas into Cincinnati Masters quarter-final

Stefanos Tsitsipas is into the quarter-final of the Cincinnati Masters after defeating Filip Krajinovic in straight sets 6-3, 6-3.