High Molecular Weight Biosurfactants from Mild Chemical Reactions of Fermented Municipal Biowastes

Two hydrolysates obtained from anaerobic digestate and compost of a municipal bio‐waste treatment plant have been ozonizated at room temperature. This reaction yields two main products: biopolymers (30 % yield) whith molecular weights ranging from 100 to over 750 kDa, exhibiting remarkable surfactant properties, and small molecules with molecular weight ≤0.2⊥⊥kDa. The ozonised biopolymers have significantly different molecular weight distribution and much better surfactant properties compared to the pristine biopolymers. Their potential market value is estimated from 1.5 to 150 € kg−1 by comparison with commercial products. The small molecules are the bio‐based counterpart of commercial chemicals obtained from fossil sources. Their market value ranges from 0.6 to 3 € kg−1. Perspectives are discussed for the development of a bio‐based chemical industry built on the integration of biochemical and mild chemical technologies to convert biomass to value added products, and compared to the current model based on biochemical technology coupled to lignin incineration or pyrolysis.