Cost-Effective Purification of Waste-Derived Enzymes Beyond Chromatographic Approaches: A Sustainable Perspective

Abstract

The increasing generation of agro-industrial and food waste poses a significant environmental challenge, but also represents an opportunity to obtain high-value biocompounds, such as enzymes. In this context, this article provides a review of the primary purification methods for enzymes derived from waste, with a focus on low-cost and environmentally friendly techniques. Three key methodologies are addressed: precipitation, Three-Phase Partitioning (TPP), and Aqueous Two-Phase Systems (ATPS). Precipitation stands out for its simplicity and cost-effectiveness, and is often employed as an initial purification step. TPP combines extraction and purification into a single process and can be optimized using green solvents. Meanwhile, ATPS enables efficient separation of biomolecules in liquid-liquid systems composed of polymers or salts. The analyzed studies demonstrate that these techniques are promising for recovering enzymes with high activity and yield from low-cost sources while minimizing environmental impact. The review concludes that technological gaps still hinder large-scale application, highlighting the need for more efficient, sustainable, and economically viable methods to valorize waste and advance the circular bioeconomy. Furthermore, the techniques presented in this study highlight the potential for greater economic viability compared to traditional chromatography methods. In addition, they can be scaled up to industrial levels while adhering to sustainability guidelines.