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

TV chef George Calombaris wants to put wage scandal behind him

Seven years after George Calombaris found himself in a million-dollar wage theft scandal, he is ready to get back to who he is at his "core."

Sophia Ventouris invites you to enjoy a ‘Dance of the Soul’ at Australia’s Zeibekiko Festival

"Every man and his dog have something to say about the zeibekiko dance, and I have heard it all," says dance teacher Sophia Ventouris.

Program released for the Pan-Macedonian Association of NSW’s Dimitria Festival

The program for the Pan-Macedonian Association of NSW’s Dimitria Festival has been released, running from September 29 until December 1.

GOC Welfare Service announces new Senior’s Group Program at Ramsgate

The GOC Welfare Service has announced the opening of a new seniors group program for women at the Ramsgate Life Saving Club hall.

SA grape grower Michael Stivahtaris counts his losses amid frosty weather

Wine grape growers said they have suffered crop losses due to unseasonable frosts, which are expected to persist.

You May Also Like

Melbourne Greek community condemns Turkey’s decision to turn Hagia Sophia into mosque

The Greek Orthodox Community of Melbourne and Victoria has strongly condemned Turkey's decision to convert Hagia Sophia back into a mosque.

Kyrgios and Kokkinakis combine to conquer Australian Open doubles opponents

The two Greek Australians Nick Kyrgios and Thanasi Kokkinakis have combined to take on and defeat Lloyd Harris and Julian Knowle in straight sets.

Remembering Nick Polites OAM: A Melbourne jazz legend and champion of multiculturalism

A champion of multiculturalism and Melbourne jazz legend - three perfect descriptors of Nick Polites OAM who recently died at 95.