Process (Membrane/Adsorption/Biocatalysis) for the production and purification of phenolic compounds from Lignocellulosic Biomasseration of high added value extracts

Phenolic compounds, namely cinnamic derivatives, offer considerable potential for meeting the needs of fine chemistry as an alternative to conventional production methods based on fossil resources. Cinnamic derivatives can be obtained by depolymerizing lignin, but their transformation into high-value-added molecules requires high purity.

     This thesis is part of a research project to produce molecules for fine chemistry from lignocellulosic biomass from the brewing and paper industries. The project includes several steps: lignin extraction, its selective depolymerization into cinnamic derivatives, the separation and purification of these compounds, and their transformation into high-value-added products, such as vanillin. The thesis topic focuses on the implementation of separation processes.

     After depolymerization of lignin using supported metal catalysts or fungal enzymes, carried out by project partners, the phenolic compounds obtained will be fractionated and purified by coupling membrane processes (ultrafiltration, nanofiltration, and reverse osmosis). Alternative techniques, such as adsorption, may be used depending on the performance obtained and purity requirements. Finally, to avoid repolymerization of the obtained monomers, an integrated and innovative process coupling enzymatic biocatalysis and membrane filtration will be developed by the PhD student to depolymerize lignin and simultaneously extract cinnamic derivatives. This part will be carried out in close collaboration with the Biodiversity and Fungal Biotechnology Laboratory of INRAE.

     In addition, analytical techniques such as UV-visible absorption spectrophotometry, size exclusion chromatography (SEC), and liquid chromatography (HPLC-UV) will be developed to characterize the different streams (after depolymerization and following separation processes).

     This position is part of the BioMCat project ("Combining biocatalysts and metal-supported catalysts for valorizing lignin to aromatic aldehydes in an integrated process"), funded by the French National Research Agency under the France 2030 program, with the reference ANR-24-PEBB-000.

References: 1. Hernández Mañas, A., et al. Wastes Biomass Valor. 2023, 14, 3789-3809. 2. Faulds, C. B., et al. Appl. Microbiol. Biotechnol. 2006, 71, 622-629. 3. Pasquet, P. L., et al. Chem. Eng. J. 2023, 476, 146696.

L’IPHC, unité mixte de recherche sous cotutelle du CNRS et de l’Université de Strasbourg (UMR7178), est un exemple de réussite de la pluridisciplinarité où des équipes de recherche de cultures scientifiques différentes (écologie, physiologie et éthologie, chimie et physique subatomique) développent des programmes pluridisciplinaires de très haut niveau avec pour socle l’instrumentation scientifique. 

• Academic Background: Process engineering, green chemistry, biotechnology, or related field.
• Skills: Strong laboratory experimentation and analysis skills; separation techniques (membrane filtration, adsorption); experience in processes is recommended, and knowledge in biotechnology, analytical chemistry or biomass structure will be an asset.
• Qualities: Personal motivation for research, ability to work both independently and as part of a team.
• Motivations: The candidate must demonstrate an aptitude for experimental work and be open to finding solutions to the challenges that will arise during the research work.