Extraction and recovery optimization of succinic acid using green emulsion liquid membrane containing palm oil as the diluent

Succinic acid extraction and recovery from aqueous solution via emulsion liquid membrane (ELM) was investigated. The liquid membrane formulation consists of Amberlite LA2 as a carrier, palm oil as a diluent, sorbitan monooleate (Span 80) and polyoxyethylene sorbitan monooleate (Tween 80) as surfactants, sodium carbonate (Na2CO3) as a stripping agent, and octanol as a modifier. At the best condition of 0.01 M Na2CO3, 1:3 treat ratio, 0.7 M Amberlite LA2, 10% w/v modifier, and external solution of pH 2, the extraction of succinic acid was up to 71%. The optimization of recovery by response surface methodology (RSM) shows that around 40% of succinic acid was recovered. At the favorable condition, 84% of succinic acid was recovered with almost 100% purity. Hence, the ELM study can be extended to extract and recover succinic acid from real fermentation broth. © 2018 American Institute of Chemical Engineers Environ Prog, 38:e13065, 2019