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Novel Biochemical Processes for Treatment and Valorization of Wastes and...
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Novel Biochemical Processes for Treatment and Valorization of Wastes and Biomass

A special issue of Molecules (ISSN 1420-3049). This special issue belongs to the section "Green Chemistry".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (31 March 2024) | Viewed by 9000

Special Issue Editor

Dr. Georgia Antonopoulou

E-Mail Website1 Website2 Website3
Guest Editor
Department of Sustainable Agriculture, University of Patras, 2 Georgiou Seferi St., Agrinio, Greece
Interests: microbial fuel cells (MFCs); microbial electrolysis cells (MECs); biofuel production via microbial processes (anaerobic digestion, fermentative hydrogen production and bioethanol production)
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Biochemical processes offer various possibilities for biomass treatment and valorization toward the production of energy, biofuels, and other bio-based products. These processes are generally considered to be environmentally friendly, operating under mild conditions of temperature and pressure and with a small amount of chemical additives. Biological processes imply the use of enzymes and microorganisms, with the former used as pure or mixed microbial consortia, under aerobic or anaerobic conditions. Wastes, energy crops, industrial wastewaters, and residual biomass are the target feedstocks for sustainable biochemical processing and the production of valuable molecules and compounds via cost-effective roots.

This Special Issue aims to gather recent developments on the treatment and valorization of wastes and biomass for the generation of bioenergy, biofuels, and high-added-value biobased materials. The Special Issue aspires to expand the knowledge in the field of biochemical technology, presenting original innovative research, including but not limited to 1) new feedstocks and 2) novel biocatalysts for the treatment and valorization of wastes and biomass, 3) innovative biochemical approaches for waste and biomass conversion, and 4) life cycle analysis and technoeconomical evaluation of waste and biomass biochemical processing.

Dr. Georgia Antonopoulou
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. Molecules is an international peer-reviewed open access semimonthly 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 2700 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

  • waste/biomass
  • valorization
  • biochemical processing
  • feedstocks
  • biocatalysts
  • life cycle analysis
  • biochemical approach

Published Papers (5 papers)

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Research

12 pages, 3331 KiB  
Article
Synthesis of a Grease Thickener from Cashew Nut Shell Liquor
by Son A. Hoang, Khanh D. Pham, Nhung H. Nguyen, Ha T. Tran, Ngoc Hoang and Chi M. Phan
Molecules 2023, 28(22), 7624; https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules28227624 - 16 Nov 2023
Viewed by 797
Abstract
Thickener, also known as a gelling agent, is a critical component of lubricating greases. The most critical property of thickener, temperature resistance, is determined by the molecular structure of the compounds. Currently, all high-temperature-resistant thickeners are based on 12-hydroxystearic acid, which is exclusively [...] Read more.
Thickener, also known as a gelling agent, is a critical component of lubricating greases. The most critical property of thickener, temperature resistance, is determined by the molecular structure of the compounds. Currently, all high-temperature-resistant thickeners are based on 12-hydroxystearic acid, which is exclusively produced from castor oil. Since castor oil is also an important reagent for other processes, finding a sustainable alternative to 12-hydroxystearic acid has significant economic implications. This study synthesises an alternative thickener from abundant agricultural waste, cashew nut shell liquor (CNSL). The synthesis and separation procedure contains three steps: (i) forming and separating calcium anacardate by precipitation, (ii) forming and separating anacardic acid (iii) forming lithium anacardate. The obtained lithium anacardate can be used as a thickener for lubricating grease. It was found that the recovery of anacardic acid was around 80%. The optimal reaction temperature and time conditions for lithium anacardate were 100 °C and 1 h, respectively. The method provides an economical alternative to castor and other vegetable oils. The procedure presents a simple pathway to produce the precursor for the lubricating grease from agricultural waste. The first reaction step can be combined with the existing distillation of cashew nut shell processing. An effective application can promote CNSL to a sustainable feedstock for green chemistry. The process can also be combined with recycled lithium from the spent batteries to improve the sustainability of the battery industry. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Novel Biochemical Processes for Treatment and Valorization of Wastes and Biomass)
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12 pages, 2804 KiB  
Article
An Alternative Exploitation of Synechocystis sp. PCC6803: A Cascade Approach for the Recovery of High Added-Value Products
by Paola Imbimbo, Luigi D’Elia, Iolanda Corrado, Gerardo Alvarez-Rivera, Antonio Marzocchella, Elena Ibáñez, Cinzia Pezzella, Filipe Branco dos Santos and Daria Maria Monti
Molecules 2023, 28(7), 3144; https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules28073144 - 31 Mar 2023
Viewed by 2310
Abstract
Microalgal biomass represents a very interesting biological feedstock to be converted into several high-value products in a biorefinery approach. In this study, the cyanobacterium Synechocystis sp. PCC6803 was used to obtain different classes of molecules: proteins, carotenoids and lipids by using a cascade [...] Read more.
Microalgal biomass represents a very interesting biological feedstock to be converted into several high-value products in a biorefinery approach. In this study, the cyanobacterium Synechocystis sp. PCC6803 was used to obtain different classes of molecules: proteins, carotenoids and lipids by using a cascade approach. In particular, the protein extract showed a selective cytotoxicity towards cancer cells, whereas carotenoids were found to be active as antioxidants both in vitro and on a cell-based model. Finally, for the first time, lipids were recovered from Synechocystis biomass as the last class of molecules and were successfully used as an alternative substrate for the production of polyhydroxyalkanoate (PHA) by the native PHA producer Pseudomonas resinovorans. Taken together, our results lead to a significant increase in the valorization of Synechocystis sp. PCC6803 biomass, thus allowing a possible offsetting of the process costs. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Novel Biochemical Processes for Treatment and Valorization of Wastes and Biomass)
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17 pages, 2480 KiB  
Article
Microbial Enrichment Techniques on Syngas and CO2 Targeting Production of Higher Acids and Alcohols
by Styliani Konstantinidi, Ioannis V. Skiadas and Hariklia N. Gavala
Molecules 2023, 28(6), 2562; https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules28062562 - 11 Mar 2023
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1292
Abstract
(1) Background: Microbial conversion of gaseous molecules, such as CO2, CO and H2, to valuable compounds, has come to the forefront since the beginning of the 21st century due to increasing environmental concerns and the necessity to develop alternative technologies [...] Read more.
(1) Background: Microbial conversion of gaseous molecules, such as CO2, CO and H2, to valuable compounds, has come to the forefront since the beginning of the 21st century due to increasing environmental concerns and the necessity to develop alternative technologies that contribute to a fast transition to a more sustainable era. Research efforts so far have focused on C1–C2 molecules, i.e., ethanol and methane, while interest in molecules with higher carbon atoms has also started to emerge. Research efforts have already started to pay off, and industrial installments on ethanol production from steel-mill off-gases as well as methane production from the CO2 generated in biogas plants are a reality. (2) Methodology: The present study addresses C4–C6 acids and butanol as target molecules and responds to how the inherent metabolic potential of mixed microbial consortia could be revealed and exploited based on the application of different enrichment methods (3) Results and Conclusions: In most of the enrichment series, the yield of C4–C6 acids was enhanced with supplementation of acetic acid and ethanol together with the gas substrates, resulting in a maximum of 43 and 68% (e-mol basis) for butyric and caproic acid, respectively. Butanol formation was also enhanced, to a lesser degree though and up to 9% (e-mol basis). Furthermore, the microbial community exhibited significant shifts depending on the enrichment conditions applied, implying that a more profound microbial analysis on the species level taxonomy combined with the development of minimal co-cultures could set the basis for discovering new microbial co-cultures and/or co-culturing schemes. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Novel Biochemical Processes for Treatment and Valorization of Wastes and Biomass)
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16 pages, 2238 KiB  
Article
Sugar Beet Pulp as a Biorefinery Substrate for Designing Feed
by Dawid Dygas, Dorota Kręgiel and Joanna Berłowska
Molecules 2023, 28(5), 2064; https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules28052064 - 22 Feb 2023
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 2771
Abstract
An example of the implementation of the principles of the circular economy is the use of sugar beet pulp as animal feed. Here, we investigate the possible use of yeast strains to enrich waste biomass in single-cell protein (SCP). The strains were evaluated [...] Read more.
An example of the implementation of the principles of the circular economy is the use of sugar beet pulp as animal feed. Here, we investigate the possible use of yeast strains to enrich waste biomass in single-cell protein (SCP). The strains were evaluated for yeast growth (pour plate method), protein increment (Kjeldahl method), assimilation of free amino nitrogen (FAN), and reduction of crude fiber content. All the tested strains were able to grow on hydrolyzed sugar beet pulp-based medium. The greatest increases in protein content were observed for Candida utilis LOCK0021 and Saccharomyces cerevisiae Ethanol Red (ΔN = 2.33%) on fresh sugar beet pulp, and for Scheffersomyces stipitis NCYC1541 (ΔN = 3.04%) on dried sugar beet pulp. All the strains assimilated FAN from the culture medium. The largest reductions in the crude fiber content of the biomass were recorded for Saccharomyces cerevisiae Ethanol Red (Δ = 10.89%) on fresh sugar beet pulp and Candida utilis LOCK0021 (Δ = 15.05%) on dried sugar beet pulp. The results show that sugar beet pulp provides an excellent matrix for SCP and feed production. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Novel Biochemical Processes for Treatment and Valorization of Wastes and Biomass)
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14 pages, 1600 KiB  
Article
Fermentative α-Humulene Production from Homogenized Grass Clippings as a Growth Medium
by Alexander Langsdorf, Anna-Lena Drommershausen, Marianne Volkmar, Roland Ulber and Dirk Holtmann
Molecules 2022, 27(24), 8684; https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules27248684 - 08 Dec 2022
Cited by 4 | Viewed by 1320
Abstract
Green waste, e.g., grass clippings, is currently insufficiently recycled and has untapped potential as a valuable resource. Our aim was to use juice from grass clippings as a growth medium for microorganisms. Herein, we demonstrate the production of the sesquiterpene α-humulene with the [...] Read more.
Green waste, e.g., grass clippings, is currently insufficiently recycled and has untapped potential as a valuable resource. Our aim was to use juice from grass clippings as a growth medium for microorganisms. Herein, we demonstrate the production of the sesquiterpene α-humulene with the versatile organism Cupriavidus necator pKR-hum on a growth medium from grass clippings. The medium was compared with established media in terms of microbial growth and terpene production. C. necator pKR-hum shows a maximum growth rate of 0.43 h−1 in the grass medium and 0.50 h−1 in a lysogeny broth (LB) medium. With the grass medium, 2 mg/L of α-humulene were produced compared to 10 mg/L with the LB medium. By concentrating the grass medium and using a controlled bioreactor in combination with an optimized in situ product removal, comparable product concentrations could likely be achieved. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first time that juice from grass clippings has been used as a growth medium without any further additives for microbial product synthesis. This use of green waste as a material represents a new bioeconomic utilization option of waste materials and could contribute to improving the economics of grass biorefineries. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Novel Biochemical Processes for Treatment and Valorization of Wastes and Biomass)
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