Towards upscaling the valorization of wheat straw residues: alkaline pretreatment using sodium hydroxide, enzymatic hydrolysis and biogas production

Enhancing acidification efficiency of vegetable wastes through heat shock pretreatment and initial pH regulation

Anaerobic digestion (AD) technology is a practical approach to alleviate severe environmental issues caused by vegetable wastes (VWs). However, its primary product is methane-rich biogas converted from the precursors (mainly volatile fatty acids, VFAs) after long fermentation periods, making traditional AD projects of low economic profits. Intervening in the methanogenesis stage artificially to produce high value-added VFAs can shorten the reaction time of the AD process and significantly improve profits, posing a promising alternative for treating VWs. Given this, this study applied heat shock (HS) pretreatment to inoculum to prevent methane production during AD and systemically investigated the effects of HS pretreatment and initial pH regulation on VFA production from VWs. The results showed that appropriate HS pretreatment effectively inhibited methane generation but promoted VFA accumulation, and VFA production was further enhanced by adjusting the initial pH to 8.0 and 9.0. The highest total VFA concentration of 14,883 mg/L with a VFA yield of 496.1 mg/gVS, 26.98% higher than that of the untreated group, was achieved at an initial pH 8.0 with HS pretreatment of 80 °C for 1 h. Moreover, pH regulation influenced the metabolic pathway of VFA production from VWs during AD, as butyrate was the dominant product at an initial pH of 6.0, while the increased initial pH improved the acetate proportion.

Multiple strategies for the development of multienzyme complex for one-pot reactions

The main intention in the modern era is to make life and activities on earth more comfortable by adding necessary products through biological machinery. Millions of tons of biological raw materials and lignocellulosic biomass are wasted by burning each year without providing benefits to living organisms. Instead of being the cause of disturbing the natural environment by increasing global warming and pollutants worldwide, now, it is the need of the hour to develop an advanced strategy to utilize these biological raw materials to produce renewable energy resources to meet the energy crisis. The review presents the idea of multiple enzymes in one step to hydrolyze complex biomaterials into useful products. The paper discusses how multiple enzymes are arranged in a cascade for complete hydrolysis of raw material in one-pot to prevent multistep, time consuming, and expensive methods. Furthermore, there was the immobilization of multiple enzymes in a cascade system with in vitro and in vivo conditions for reusability of enzymes. The role of genetic engineering, metabolic engineering, and random mutation techniques is described for the development of multiple enzyme cascades. Techniques that are involved in the improvement of native strain to recombinant strain for the enhancement of hydrolytic capacity were used. The preparative steps, before enzymatic hydrolysis like acid, and base treatment methods are more effective for improving the hydrolysis of biomass by multiple enzymes in a one-pot system. Finally, the applications of one-pot multienzyme complexes in biofuel production from lignocellulosic biomass, biosensor production, medicine, food industry, and the conversion of biopolymers into useful products are described.

Cascade utilization of rice straw for biogas production

To improve the biogas yield of rice straw, an innovative cascade utilization process for biogas production was proposed using a method referred to as "the first digestion + NaOH treatment + the second digestion" (labeled FSD). Both the first digestion and the second digestion of all treatments were conducted at the initial total solid (TS) loading of straw of 6%. A series of lab-scale batch experiments were conducted to investigate the effect of first digestion time (5, 10, and 15 days) on biogas production and lignocellulose structure destruction of rice straw. The results showed that the cumulative biogas yield of rice straw using the FSD process was increased by 13.63-36.14% compared with the control (CK), and the highest biogas yield of 233.57 mL g^-1 TS_added was obtained when the first digestion time was 15 days (FSD-15). The removal rates of TS, volatile solids, and organic matter were increased by 12.21-18.09%, 10.62-14.38%, and 13.44-16.88%, respectively, compared with those of CK. The results of Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy analysis revealed that the skeletal structure of rice straw was not significantly destroyed after the FSD process, but the relative contents of functional groups in rice straw were changed. The FSD process accelerated the destruction of crystallinity of rice straw, and the lowest crystallinity index of 10.19% was obtained at FSD-15. The abovementioned results indicated that the FSD-15 process is recommended for cascade utilization of rice straw in biogas production.

Pretreatments of lignocellulosic and algal biomasses for sustainable biohydrogen production: Recent progress, carbon neutrality, and circular economy

Lignocellulosic and algal biomasses are known to be vital feedstocks to establish a green hydrogen supply chain toward achieving a carbon-neutral society. However, one of the most pressing issues to be addressed is the low digestibility of these biomasses in biorefinery processes, such as dark fermentation, to produce green hydrogen. To date, various pretreatment approaches, such as physical, chemical, and biological methods, have been examined to enhance feedstock digestibility. However, neither systematic reviews of pretreatment to promote biohydrogen production in dark fermentation nor economic feasibility analyses have been conducted. Thus, this study offers a comprehensive review of current biomass pretreatment methods to promote biohydrogen production in dark fermentation. In addition, this review has provided comparative analyses of the technological and economic feasibility of existing pretreatment techniques and discussed the prospects of the pretreatments from the standpoint of carbon neutrality and circular economy.

Recent Advancements and Challenges in Lignin Valorization: Green Routes towards Sustainable Bioproducts

The aromatic hetero-polymer lignin is industrially processed in the paper/pulp and lignocellulose biorefinery, acting as a major energy source. It has been proven to be a natural resource for useful bioproducts; however, its depolymerization and conversion into high-value-added chemicals is the major challenge due to the complicated structure and heterogeneity. Conversely, the various pre-treatments techniques and valorization strategies offers a potential solution for developing a biomass-based biorefinery. Thus, the current review focus on the new isolation techniques for lignin, various pre-treatment approaches and biocatalytic methods for the synthesis of sustainable value-added products. Meanwhile, the challenges and prospective for the green synthesis of various biomolecules via utilizing the complicated hetero-polymer lignin are also discussed.

Pigment Production by Paracoccus spp. Strains through Submerged Fermentation of Valorized Lignocellulosic Wastes

Due to the increasing emphasis on the circular economy, research in recent years has focused on the feasibility of using biomass as an alternative energy source. Plant biomass is a potential substitute for countering the dependence on depleting fossil-derived energy sources and chemicals. However, in particular, lignocellulosic waste materials are complex and recalcitrant structures that require effective pretreatment and enzymatic saccharification to release the desired saccharides, which can be further fermented into a plethora of value-added products. In this context, pigment production from waste hydrolysates is a viable ecological approach to producing safe and natural colorings, which are otherwise produced via chemical synthesis and raise health concerns. The present study aims to evaluate two such abundant lignocellulosic wastes, i.e., wheat straw and pinewood sawdust as low-cost feedstocks for carotenoid production with Paracoccus strains. An alkali pretreatment approach, followed by enzymatic saccharification using an indigenous lab-isolated fungal hydrolase, was found to be effective for the release of fermentable sugars from both substrates. The fermentation of the pretreated sawdust hydrolysate by Paracoccus aminophilus CRT1 and Paracoccus kondratievae CRT2 resulted in the highest carotenoid production, 631.33 and 758.82 μg/g dry mass, respectively. Thus, the preliminary but informative research findings of the present work exhibit the potential for sustainable and economically feasible pigment production from lignocellulosic feedstocks after optimal process development on the pilot scale.

Bioethanol and biogas production: an alternative valorisation pathway for green waste

Biofuels are a research field of great interest given the environmental benefits they offer over conventional fossil fuels. Nowadays, it is urgent to find ways of utilizing waste in the direction of biofuels production. The aim of this paper was the utilization of green waste (branches, leaves and ligno-cellulosic residues from tree prunings, hedge cuttings and grass clippings) towards biofuels production and specifically towards bioethanol and biogas. The experimental plan that was followed included biogas production through anaerobic digestion and bioethanol production through alcoholic fermentation after the necessary chemical pretreatment (acid or alkaline hydrolysis) prior to enzymatic hydrolysis and fermentation. Based on the results obtained, three valorisation scenarios of green waste were designed and compared in terms of product mass intensity, product yield and energy content of biofuels produced. The optimal results for bioethanol production were 5.22 g/L ethanol, 70.61% saccharification yield and 33.67% ethanol yield with acid pretreatment using H₂SO₄ 3% w/v, 475 μL/g cellulose CellicCtec2 and 10% solids loading. Regarding biogas, the highest biogas production observed was 267.1 mL biogas/g dry substrate resulting from anaerobic digestion of the alkaline stillage. Thus, the production of biofuels from green waste is technically feasible, although it provides moderate efficiencies. However, for a sustainable valorisation of green waste, other techno-economic factors such as the cost of enzymes, chemicals, energy, etc. must be taken into account.

Biogas Production Potential of Thermophilic Anaerobic Biodegradation of Organic Waste by a Microbial Consortium Identified with Metagenomics

Anaerobic digestion (AD) is a widespread biological process treating organic waste for green energy production. In this study, wheat straw and corn stalks without any harsh preliminary treatment were collected as a renewable source to be employed in a laboratory-scale digester to produce biogas/biomethane. Processes parameters of temperature, pH, total solids, volatile solid, concentration of volatile fatty acids (VFA), and cellulose concentration, were followed. The volume of biogas produced was measured. The impact of organic loading was stated, showing that the process at 55 °C tolerated a higher substrate load, up to 45 g/L. Further substrate increase did not lead to biogas accumulation increase, probably due to inhibition or mass transfer limitations. After a 12-day anaerobic digestion process, cumulative volumes of biogas yields were 4.78 L for 1 L of the bioreactor working volume with substrate loading 30 g/L of wheat straw, 7.39 L for 40 g/L and 8.22 L for 45 g/L. The degree of biodegradation was calculated to be 68.9%, 74% and 72%, respectively. A fast, effective process for biogas production was developed from native wheat straw, with the highest quantity of daily biogas production occurring between day 2 and day 5. Biomethane concentration in the biogas was 60%. An analysis of bacterial diversity by metagenomics revealed that more than one third of bacteria belonged to class Clostridia (32.9%), followed by Bacteroidia (21.5%), Betaproteobacteria (11.2%), Gammaproteobacteria (6.1%), and Alphaproteobacteria (5%). The most prominent genera among them were Proteiniphilum, Proteiniborus, and Pseudomonas. Archaeal share was 1.37% of the microflora in the thermophilic bioreactor, as the genera Methanocorpusculum, Methanobacterium, Methanomassiliicoccus, Methanoculleus, and Methanosarcina were the most abundant. A knowledge of the microbiome residing in the anaerobic digester can be further used for the development of more effective processes in conjunction with theidentified consortium.

Biochemical biorefinery: A low-cost and non-waste concept for promoting sustainable circular bioeconomy

The transition from a fossil-based linear economy to a circular bioeconomy is no longer an option but rather imperative, given worldwide concerns about the depletion of fossil resources and the demand for innovative products that are ecocompatible. As a critical component of sustainable development, this discourse has attracted wide attention at the regional and international levels. Biorefinery is an indispensable technology to implement the blueprint of the circular bioeconomy. As a low-cost, non-waste innovative concept, the biorefinery concept will spur a myriad of new economic opportunities across a wide range of sectors. Consequently, scaling up biorefinery processes is of the essence. Despite several decades of research and development channeled into upscaling biorefinery processes, the commercialization of biorefinery technology appears unrealizable. In this review, challenges limiting the commercialization of biorefinery technologies are discussed, with a particular focus on biofuels, biochemicals, and biomaterials. To counteract these challenges, various process intensification strategies such as consolidated bioprocessing, integrated biorefinery configurations, the use of highly efficient bioreactors, simultaneous saccharification and fermentation, have been explored. This study also includes an overview of biomass pretreatment-generated inhibitory compounds as platform chemicals to produce other essential biocommodities. There is a detailed examination of the technological, economic, and environmental considerations of a sustainable biorefinery. Finally, the prospects for establishing a viable circular bioeconomy in Nigeria are briefly discussed.

Effect of thermo-chemical pretreatment on the saccharification and enzymatic digestibility of olive mill stones and their bioconversion towards alcohols

The present study investigated the effect of thermo-chemical pretreatment on the enhancement of enzymatic digestibility of olive mill stones (OMS), as well as its possible valorisation via bioconversion of the generated free sugars to alcohols. Specifically, the influence of parameters such as reaction time, temperature, type and concentration of dilute acids and/or bases, was assessed during the thermo-chemical pretreatment. The hydrolysates and the solids remaining after pretreatment, as well as the whole pretreated slurries, were further evaluated as potential substrates for the simultaneous production of ethanol and xylitol via fermentation with the yeast Pachysolen tannophilus. The digestibility and overall saccharification of OMS were considerably enhanced in all cases, with the maximum enzymatic digestibility observed for dilute sodium hydroxide (almost 4-fold) which also yielded the highest total saccharification yield (91% of the total OMS carbohydrates). Ethanol and xylitol yields from the untreated OMS were 28 g/kg OMS and 25 g/kg OMS, respectively, and were both significantly enhanced by pretreatment. The highest ethanol yield was 79 g/kg OMS and was achieved by the alkali pretreatment and separate fermentation of hydrolysates and solids, whereas the highest xylitol yield was 49 g/kg OMS and was obtained by pretreatment with sulphuric acid and separate fermentation of hydrolysates and solids.

Pilot Scale Elimination of Phenolic Cellulase Inhibitors From Alkali Pretreated Wheat Straw for Improved Cellulolytic Digestibility to Fermentable Saccharides

Depleting supplies of fossil fuel, regular price hikes of gasoline and environmental deterioration have necessitated the search for economic and eco-benign alternatives of gasoline like lignocellulosic biomass. However, pre-treatment of such biomass results in development of some phenolic compounds which later hinder the depolymerisation of biomass by cellulases and seriously affect the cost effectiveness of the process. Dephenolification of biomass hydrolysate is well cited in literature. However, elimination of phenolic compounds from pretreated solid biomass is not well studied. The present study was aimed to optimize dephenoliphication of wheat straw using various alkalis i.e., Ca(OH)₂ and NH₃; acids i.e., H₂O₂, H₂SO₄, and H₃PO₄; combinations of NH₃+ H₃PO₄ and H₃PO₄+ H₂O₂ at pilot scale to increase enzymatic saccharification yield. Among all the pretreatment strategies used, maximum reduction in phenolic content was observed as 66 mg Gallic Acid Equivalent/gram Dry Weight (GAE/g DW), compared to control having 210 mg GAE/g DW using 5% (v/v) combination of NH₃+H₃PO₄. Upon subsequent saccharification of dephenoliphied substrate, the hydrolysis yield was recorded as 46.88%. Optimized conditions such as using 1%+5% concentration of NH₃+ H₃PO₄, for 30 min at 110°C temperature reduced total phenolic content (TPC) to 48 mg GAE/g DW. This reduction in phenolic content helped cellulases to act more proficiently on the substrate and saccharification yield of 55.06% was obtained. The findings will result in less utilization of cellulases to get increased yield of saccharides by hydrolyzing wheat straw, thus, making the process economical. Furthermore, pilot scale investigations of current study will help in upgrading the novel process to industrial scale.

Enhanced lignocellulosic component removal and biomethane potential from chestnut shell by a combined hydrothermal-alkaline pretreatment

This study proposes new perspectives for the management and biorefinery of wastes deriving from the agri-food sector such as chestnut shell (CS), which was here used as an organic feedstock for biomethane production through anaerobic digestion (AD). 1-5% alkaline (i.e. NaOH and KOH), hydrothermal (i.e. at 100 °C) and combined hydrothermal-alkaline pretreatments were employed to enhance the CS biodegradability prior to biochemical methane potential (BMP) tests conducted under mesophilic conditions. The hydrothermally-pretreated CS with 3% NaOH achieved the highest biomethane yield of 253 (±9) mL CH₄·g VS^-1 coupled to a volatile solid reduction of 48%. The hydrothermal-alkaline pretreatment positively affected both delignification and hemicellulose polymerization, promoting an approximately 2.4-fold higher substrate biodegradability compared to the untreated CS, which only reached a CH₄ production of 104 (±5) mL CH₄·g VS^-1. AD proceeded via volatile fatty acid accumulation, subsequently followed by methane production that was effectively simulated via the modified Gompertz kinetic having a R² of 0.974-0.999. Among the physical-chemical parameters characterizing the CS, the soluble chemical oxygen demand (sCOD) was highly correlated with the BMP showing a Pearson coefficient of 0.952. The cumulative biomethane yield, the sCOD and the cellulose, hemicellulose and lignin amount of CS were also processed through the least square method, obtaining a useful regression equation to predict the BMP. The economic assessment indicated that the hydrothermal-alkaline pretreatment is a cost-effective method to improve the BMP of CS, also for future full-scale applications.

Potassium Hydroxyde Pre-Treatment Enhances Methane Yield from Giant Reed (Arundo donax L.)

The biogas production through the anaerobic digestion (AD) of giant reed (Arundo donax L.) biomass has received increasing attention. However, due to the presence of lignin, a low CH4 yield can be obtained. Aiming to improve the CH4 yield from giant reed biomass, the effectiveness of a thermo-chemical pre-treatment based on KOH was evaluated in this paper. The usefulness of a washing step before the AD was also assessed. The pre-treatment led to a specific CH4 yield up to 232 mL CH4 g−1 VS which was 21% higher than that from untreated biomass; the maximum daily rate of production was improved by 42%, AD duration was reduced by 10%, and CH4 concentration in the biogas was increased by 23%. On the contrary, the washing step did not improve the AD process. Besides, washing away the liquid fraction led to biomass losses, reducing the overall CH4 production. The use of a KOH-based pre-treatment appears as a good option for enhancing the AD of giant reed, also presenting potential environmental and agronomical benefits, like the avoidance of salty wastewater production and the likely improvement of the digestate quality, due to its enriched K content.

Screening of seaweeds for sustainable biofuel recovery through sequential biodiesel and bioethanol production

The present study evaluated the sequential biodiesel-bioethanol production from seaweeds. A total of 22 macroalgal species were collected at different seasons and screened based on lipid and carbohydrate contents as well as biomass production. The promising species was selected, based on the relative increase in energy compounds (REEC, %), for further energy conversion. Seasonal and annual biomass yields of the studied species showed significant variations. The rhodophyte Amphiroa compressa and the chlorophyte Ulva intestinalis showed the highest annual biomass yield of 75.2 and 61.5 g m^-2 year^-1, respectively. However, the highest annual carbohydrate productivity (ACP) and annual lipid productivity (ALP) were recorded for Ulva fasciata and Ulva intestinalis (17.0 and 3.0 g m^-2 year^-1, respectively). The later was selected for further studies because it showed 14.8% higher REEC value than Ulva fasciata. Saturated fatty acids (SAFs) showed 73.4%, with palmitic acid as a dominant fatty acid (43.8%). Therefore, biodiesel showed high saturation degree, with average degree of unsaturation (ADU) of 0.508. All the measured biodiesel characteristics complied the international standards. The first route of biodiesel production (R1) from Ulva intestinalis showed biodiesel recovery of 32.3 mg g^-1 dw. The hydrolysate obtained after saccharification of the whole biomass (R2) and lipid-free biomass (R3) contained 1.22 and 1.15 g L^-1, respectively, reducing sugars. However, bioethanol yield from R3 was 0.081 g g^-1 dw, which represented 14.1% higher than that of R2. Therefore, application of sequential biofuel production using R3 resulted in gross energy output of 3.44 GJ ton^-1 dw, which was 170.9% and 82.0% higher than R1 and R2, respectively. The present study recommended the naturally-grown Ulva intestinalis as a potential feedstock for enhanced energy recovery through sequential biodiesel-bioethanol production.