Andrade T.A., dos Passos N.H., Fetzer D.E., Ambye-Jensen M., 2024, Impact of Biomass Harvest-to-processing Time on Protein Extraction in a Green Biorefinery Demonstration Plant, Chemical Engineering Transactions, 109, 109-114.
Given the increasing demand for sustainable and alternative protein sources, exploring and replacing traditional monogastric animal feeds, such as soybean meal, with protein extracted from green biorefineries is necessary. The present study explored the influence of the time interval between biomass harvesting and processing in a green biorefinery demonstration facility established at Aarhus University, Denmark. The study utilized grass-clover mixtures as feedstock over two seasons (August 2021 and August 2022) to extract protein concentrate. The investigation evaluated the impact of varying durations between biomass harvest and processing on protein extraction yield and the quality of the leaf protein concentrate. The findings indicate that protein degradation rises with longer harvest-to-processing intervals. This reinforces the importance of implementing the biorefinery close to the harvesting field to reduce this time and optimize logistics. This research aimed to contribute valuable insights for implementing efficient and sustainable processes in green biorefineries to maximize protein yields from fresh biomass.
