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Techno-Economic Assessment of Polysaccharide Extraction from Baobab: A Scale Up Analysis

Author

Listed:
  • Maria Dimopoulou

    (Department of Biological and Geographical Sciences, School of Applied Sciences, University of Huddersfield, Queensgate, Huddersfield HD1 3DH, UK
    Department of Chemical Sciences, School of Applied Sciences, University of Huddersfield, Queensgate, Huddersfield HD1 3DH, UK)

  • Vivian Offiah

    (Department of Food Technology, University of Ibadan, Ibadan 200284, Nigeria
    Department of Food Science and Technology, Federal University of Agriculture, Makurdi 970231, Nigeria)

  • Kolawole Falade

    (Department of Food Technology, University of Ibadan, Ibadan 200284, Nigeria
    Department of Food Science and Technology, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Kumasi, Ghana)

  • Alan M. Smith

    (Department of Pharmacy, School of Applied Sciences, University of Huddersfield, Queensgate, Huddersfield HD1 3DH, UK)

  • Vassilis Kontogiorgos

    (Department of Biological and Geographical Sciences, School of Applied Sciences, University of Huddersfield, Queensgate, Huddersfield HD1 3DH, UK
    School of Agriculture and Food Sciences, The University of Queensland, Brisbane 4072, Australia)

  • Athanasios Angelis-Dimakis

    (Department of Chemical Sciences, School of Applied Sciences, University of Huddersfield, Queensgate, Huddersfield HD1 3DH, UK)

Abstract

This research studied the commercial exploitation of an indigenous African crop in order to formulate high value products, with a potential significant impact on the local economy. More specifically, the present work investigated the extraction of polysaccharides from baobab in a bench-scale unit, focusing on the overall yield and the techno-economic assessment of the extraction process. Preliminary technoeconomic analysis for two scenarios (with and without ethanol recycling) was performed to determine the economic viability of the process and the development of the baobab market both in Nigeria and the UK. A full economic analysis was undertaken for each of the two scenarios, considering all operating and capital costs, and the production cost of baobab polysaccharides was estimated based on a constant return on investment. Combining the operating cost with the average polysaccharide yield, the minimum profitable selling price in the UK was estimated to be between £23 and £35 per 100 g of polysaccharide, which is comparable to the commercial selling price of high purity polysaccharides. An assessment of a scaled-up plant was also performed under Nigerian conditions and the results showed that such an investment is potentially viable and profitable, with a minimum profitable selling price of £27 per 100 g, a value comparable to the UK-based scenarios.

Suggested Citation

  • Maria Dimopoulou & Vivian Offiah & Kolawole Falade & Alan M. Smith & Vassilis Kontogiorgos & Athanasios Angelis-Dimakis, 2021. "Techno-Economic Assessment of Polysaccharide Extraction from Baobab: A Scale Up Analysis," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(17), pages 1-13, September.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:13:y:2021:i:17:p:9915-:d:628507
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Rasaq O Lamidi & Long Jiang & Yaodong Wang & Pankaj B Pathare & Marcelo Calispa Aguilar & Ruiqi Wang & Nuri Mohamed Eshoul & Anthony Paul Roskilly, 2019. "Techno-Economic Analysis of a Cogeneration System for Post-Harvest Loss Reduction: A Case Study in Sub-Saharan Rural Community," Energies, MDPI, vol. 12(5), pages 1-19, March.
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