PROSPECTS AND STATE-OF-THE-ART IN PRODUCTION OF BIO-BASED SUCCINIC ACID FROM OIL PALM TRUNK

Abstract

Bio-based chemicals possess enormous market potential in realising a circular economy. Industrially, succinic acid (SA) is an important precursor for the establishment of a sustainable biochemical industry. This article reviews the potential of oil palm trunk (OPT) for SA production, from bioconversion aspects such as biomass pretreatment, enzymatic saccharification, and fermentation, to technological advancement and process economics, assisted by Actinobacillus succinogenes. For commercial SA exploitation, the focus should be on finding cheap biomass feedstock and optimising unit processes either for a partial or total displacement of expensive chemical paths during fermentation. OPT has been hailed as a viable candidate for the cost-effective production of SA, given its nutrient- and carbohydrate-rich sap and bagasse for improving the intended pretreatment and hydrolysis technologies. Type of operating modes, process configurations and fermentation factors concerning medium, substrate and culture have been identified as keys for advancing SA production from OPT in recent years. Lastly, the potential of OPT as part of a biorefinery feedstock for multiple bioconversion towards effective environmental management is designed to put forth the vision of a circular economy in the palm oil industry.