Recent Advances in Bioconversion of Biomass to Value-Added Products

A special issue of Fermentation (ISSN 2311-5637). This special issue belongs to the section "Industrial Fermentation".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (31 January 2024) | Viewed by 5094

Special Issue Editor


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Guest Editor
Environmental Biotechnology and Renewable Energies Group, Department of Biotechnology and Bioengineering, CINVESTAV-IPN, Mexico City 07360, Mexico
Interests: bioenergies; biorefineries; bioelectrochemical systems; bioproducts; fermentation; value-added; sustainability evaluation; sustainabiltiy metrics; economic sustainability; social sustainability

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

The Special Issue entitled “Recent Advances in Bioconversion of Biomass to Value-Added Products” aims to present recent research on any aspect of the reclaiming of biomass (including organic wastes) for the production of valuable products and energies. Reports on innovative conversion processes of biomass are encouraged. Some of its focal points include, but are not limited to, the following subjects:

  1. Liquid biofuels from biomass and organic wastes;
  2. Gas biofuels from biomass and organic wastes;
  3. Other bioenergies (i.e., bioelectricity, bioelectrochemical H2 and methane) from biomass and organic wastes;
  4. Biorefineries from biomass and organic wastes for bioenergies and value-added bioproduct generation;
  5. Innovative conversion processes of biomass;
  6. Sustainability issues on the bioconversion of biomass to VAP (life cycle assessment, environmental sustainability evaluation, economic and social sustainability);
  7. Bioelectrochemical systems for microbial synthesis of VAP;
  8. Value-added chemicals from fermentation of biomass and organic wastes;
  9. Innovative and improved conventional upstream and downstream processes to assist the bioconversion of biomass to VAP;
  10. Circularity of bioconversion processes.

Reviews, original research and communications will be welcome. Since the key words and the topics list are not exhaustive, please feel free to consult with me regarding the suitability of your intended article.

Dr. Héctor M. Poggi-Varaldo
Guest Editor

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Fermentation is an international peer-reviewed open access monthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2600 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • bioenergy
  • biorefinery
  • biomass
  • bioelectrochemical systems
  • bioproducts
  • chemicals
  • fermentation
  • organic wastes
  • value-added
  • sustainability

Published Papers (4 papers)

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Research

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0 pages, 1449 KiB  
Article
The Potential Use of Pseudomonas stutzeri as a Biocatalyst for the Removal of Heavy Metals and the Generation of Bioelectricity
by Rojas-Flores Segundo, Magaly De La Cruz-Noriega, Luis Cabanillas-Chirinos, Nélida Milly Otiniano, Nancy Soto-Deza, Walter Rojas-Villacorta and Mayra De La Cruz-Cerquin
Fermentation 2024, 10(2), 113; https://doi.org/10.3390/fermentation10020113 - 19 Feb 2024
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1429
Abstract
Currently, industry in all its forms is vital for the human population because it provides the services and goods necessary to live. However, this process also pollutes soils and rivers. This research provides an environmentally friendly solution for the generation of electrical energy [...] Read more.
Currently, industry in all its forms is vital for the human population because it provides the services and goods necessary to live. However, this process also pollutes soils and rivers. This research provides an environmentally friendly solution for the generation of electrical energy and the bioremediation of heavy metals such as arsenic, iron, and copper present in river waters used to irrigate farmers’ crops. This research used single-chamber microbial fuel cells with activated carbon and zinc electrodes as anodes and cathodes, respectively, and farmers’ irrigation water contaminated with mining waste as substrate. Pseudomonas stutzeri was used as a biocatalyst due to its ability to proliferate at temperatures between 4 and 44 °C—at which the waters that feed irrigated rivers pass on their way to the sea—managing to generate peaks of electric current and voltage of 4.35 mA and 0.91 V on the sixth day, which operated with an electrical conductivity of 222 mS/cm and a pH of 6.74. Likewise, the parameters of nitrogen, total organic carbon, carbon lost on the ignition, dissolved organic carbon, and chemical oxygen demand were reduced by 51.19%, 79.92%, 64.95%, 79.89%, 79.93%, and 86.46%. At the same time, iron, copper, and arsenic values decreased by 84.625, 14.533, and 90.831%, respectively. The internal resistance values shown were 26.355 ± 4.528 Ω with a power density of 422.054 mW/cm2 with a current density of 5.766 A/cm2. This research gives society, governments, and private companies an economical and easily scalable prototype capable of simultaneously generating electrical energy and removing heavy metals. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Recent Advances in Bioconversion of Biomass to Value-Added Products)
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17 pages, 1698 KiB  
Article
Statistical Optimization of Tween-80-Assisted Potassium Hydroxide Pretreatment and Enzymatic Hydrolysis for Enhancing Sugar Yields from Corn Cob
by Hui Zhang and Junhui Wu
Fermentation 2023, 9(12), 1009; https://doi.org/10.3390/fermentation9121009 - 7 Dec 2023
Viewed by 1191
Abstract
With the addition of Tween 80, potassium hydroxide pretreatment and enzymatic hydrolysis were statistically optimized to maximize sugar yields from corn cob (CC). The results indicated that the sugar yields from CC could be influenced significantly by the potassium hydroxide concentration, temperature and [...] Read more.
With the addition of Tween 80, potassium hydroxide pretreatment and enzymatic hydrolysis were statistically optimized to maximize sugar yields from corn cob (CC). The results indicated that the sugar yields from CC could be influenced significantly by the potassium hydroxide concentration, temperature and time during pretreatment. The optimized pretreatment conditions were as follows: potassium hydroxide, 46 g·L−1; Tween 80, 3.0 g·L−1; solid dose, 200 g·L−1; temperature, 78 °C; and time, 50 min. After optimization, the lignin reduction and recoveries of cellulose and hemicellulose were 89.7%, 97.8% and 68.0%, respectively. In addition, sugar production could also be influenced by the biomass loading, enzyme loading and reaction time. A maximal glucose production (518.48 mg·gds−1, milligrams per gram of dry substrate) and xylose production (351.14 mg·gds−1), 97.2% cellulose conversion and 82.9% hemicellulose conversion from CC could be obtained when the biomass loading was 195 g·L−1 and the enzyme loading was 8.9 FPU·gds−1 (filter paper activity units per gram of dry substrate) and when the Tween 80 concentration was 3.0 g·L−1 at 50 °C for 30.4 h during hydrolysis. This is the first systematic study of combined Tween 80 pretreatment of CC by potassium hydroxide and hydrolysis of CC by cellulase preparation to increase sugar production. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Recent Advances in Bioconversion of Biomass to Value-Added Products)
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12 pages, 593 KiB  
Article
Microbial Fermentation of the Water-Soluble Fraction of Brewers’ Spent Grain for the Production of High-Value Fatty Acids
by Stefano Serra, Paola D’Arrigo, Letizia Anna Maria Rossato and Eleonora Ruffini
Fermentation 2023, 9(12), 1008; https://doi.org/10.3390/fermentation9121008 - 7 Dec 2023
Viewed by 1411
Abstract
Brewers’ spent grain (BSG) constitutes the primary by-product of the brewing industry. The valorization of BSG from a circular economy perspective is of high industrial interest. The objective of this study was the exploitation of BSG for the microbial production of branched-chain fatty [...] Read more.
Brewers’ spent grain (BSG) constitutes the primary by-product of the brewing industry. The valorization of BSG from a circular economy perspective is of high industrial interest. The objective of this study was the exploitation of BSG for the microbial production of branched-chain fatty acids (BCFAs) and polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs), representing two different classes of high-value fatty acids (FAs). In the present study, this waste material underwent treatment with hot water in an autoclave and the resultant extract was utilized for the preparation of a novel liquid medium (BSG medium) to be employed for microbial fermentation. Screening and subsequent scaling-up experiments confirmed the suitability of the BSG medium to support the microbial production of various high-value FAs. In particular, Streptomyces jeddahensis and Conidiobolus heterosporus could be employed for BCFAs production, Pythium ultimum and Mortierella alpina could be used to provide cis-5,8,11,14,17-eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and arachidonic acid (ARA), whereas Mucor circinelloides, when grown in a BSG medium, was able to accumulate γ-linolenic acid (GLA). Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Recent Advances in Bioconversion of Biomass to Value-Added Products)
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Review

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16 pages, 1397 KiB  
Review
Electron Beam on Fermentation Medium as an Alternative Disinfection Method for Ethanol Distilleries: A Comprehensive Review
by Rafael Douradinho, Pietro Sica, Danilo Perecin, Matheus Oliveira, Alana Uchoa Pinto, Layna Mota, Eduardo Mattos, João Monnerat De Almeida, Sonia Piedade, Valter Arthur, Jorge Horii, Suani Coelho and Antonio Baptista
Fermentation 2024, 10(4), 193; https://doi.org/10.3390/fermentation10040193 - 1 Apr 2024
Viewed by 756
Abstract
Corn and sugarcane are the primary feedstocks for ethanol production, but microbial contamination hinders yeast fermentation efficiency. Current control methods include antibiotics and sulfuric acid, but they have limitations, resulting in dependence on external inputs and the risk of antibiotic-resistant bacteria. This review [...] Read more.
Corn and sugarcane are the primary feedstocks for ethanol production, but microbial contamination hinders yeast fermentation efficiency. Current control methods include antibiotics and sulfuric acid, but they have limitations, resulting in dependence on external inputs and the risk of antibiotic-resistant bacteria. This review examines electron beam technology as an industrial-scale disinfection solution for both corn- and sugarcane-based ethanol production, highlighting its advantages, limitations and opportunities for adoption in Brazil. A critical evaluation highlights the importance of optimal operating conditions for scalability, cost effectiveness and sustainable implementation. Through a practical example, we demonstrate the effectiveness of electron beam treatment in improving fermentation efficiency and reducing contamination-related losses. Notably, the ionizing radiation from this process does not affect wort sugar content or generate radioactive residues. While acknowledging the potentially high energy input requirements, cogeneration in sugarcane mills can address this, making it a viable option; however, further technical and economic evaluation should be made. In addition, electron beam technology is a promising approach for the production of high-value products such as neutral alcohol, amino acids, animal feed and pharmaceuticals. Therefore, this comprehensive review provides valuable insights for researchers, industry stakeholders and policymakers to promote sustainable and efficient ethanol production practices. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Recent Advances in Bioconversion of Biomass to Value-Added Products)
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