Techno-economic analysis of solanesol production from tobacco leaves using ultrasound-assisted extraction

Solanesol has high antioxidant activity and strong free radical absorption and is an intermediate raw material for coenzyme Q10. Tobacco leaves are the highest source of solanesol. Ultrasonic-assisted extraction (UAE) increases the extract yield through reduced process time, low temperature, and safe solvents. The CAGR for solanesol demands in the Asia Pacific is growing 10.5% in 2021-2027, with market values of USD 575 million. Therefore, developing a solanesol plant in Indonesia is required to increase high-added value derivative products from tobacco leaves. Based on that necessity, this study provides a preliminary study and simulation of solanesol production from tobacco leaves in the UAE. The simulation uses SuperPro Designer v9.0 to get the plant's mass, energy balance, and economic parameters. The plant will be built in Kawasan Industri Kupen, Temanggung, Central Java. Then, assuming 7920 hours annual operation time, 153 kg tobacco leaves/batch input rate, and solanesol selling price of USD 2.100/kg. The simulations showed that solanesol production in the UAE is feasible economically, with conversion rates at 2.3%. The value of profitability parameters is as follows: Internal Rate of Return (IRR) = 33,90%, Net Present Value (NPV) at I = 7% = USD 39,437,000, and payback time = 2.95 years.