DEVELOPMENT OF AN AIR FRESHENER SPRAY FROM ALCOHOL-RICH INDUSTRIAL EFFLUENT

INTRODUCTION: This study investigated the feasibility of reusing alcoholic effluent from perfume batch cleaning in the cosmetics industry for the development of an air freshener, aligned with the principles of upcycling and circular economy. AIMS: The objective was to evaluate the feasibility of reusing the alcoholic effluent for the development of an air freshener and to compare different deodorization routes. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Three deodorization routes were evaluated: biodegradation by Pseudomonas aeruginosa, biodegradation by Rhodococcus erythropolis, and adsorption with activated carbon. The effluent was initially characterized as having an alcohol content of 78.2% v/v, pH 5.0, pinkish coloration, and an intense perfume aroma. For the air freshener formulation tests, samples treated by each method, in addition to the pure effluent, were sensorially evaluated. RESULTS: The methods demonstrated efficacy in reducing the alcohol content; however, none of the three routes was able to clearly demonstrate the elimination of residual perfume odor. The sensory evaluation confirmed the persistence of the original aroma in all cases. The comparative economic analysis indicated that the direct use of the effluent as an alcoholic base for air fresheners represents the most industrially viable alternative, eliminating treatment costs estimated between R$ 8.50 and R$ 45.00 per liter of processed effluent. FINAL CONSIDERATIONS: It is concluded that the direct upcycling strategy, without prior deodorization treatment, presents greater potential for industrial application, leveraging the residual fragrance as a positive attribute of the final product, with an estimated profit margin between 70% and 85% relative to the selling price of air fresheners in the Brazilian market.

PALAVRAS-CHAVE: upcycling, alcoholic effluent, air freshener, biodegradation, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Rhodococcus erythropolis, activated carbon, circular economy.