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Bioenergy and Biobased Technologies to Support a Green Transition
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Bioenergy and Biobased Technologies to Support a Green Transition

A special issue of Energies (ISSN 1996-1073). This special issue belongs to the section "A4: Bio-Energy".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (30 April 2022) | Viewed by 13611

Special Issue Editors

Prof. Dr. Solange I. Mussatto

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Guest Editor
Department of Biotechnology and Biomedicine, Technical University of Denmark, DK-2800 Kongens Lyngby, Denmark
Interests: fermentation; biomass; biorefinery; biofuels; bio-based products; techno-economic analysis; life cycle assessment
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Dr. Giuliano Dragone

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Department of Biotechnology and Biomedicine, Technical University of Denmark, 2800 Kongens Lyngby, Denmark
Interests: lignocellulosic biomass; fermentation; biorefinery; industrial biotechnology; bioethanol; biofuels; biobased products; sustainability

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

The need to reduce the environmental footprint and the desire to convert the fossil-based economy into a greener economy have led to a growing interest in the development of biobased technologies in all industrial sectors. Today, the development of new biomass-based processes is one of the main drivers of our current society to move toward a more sustainable future with reduced greenhouse gas emissions and a more appropriate use of natural resources.

Several studies on technoeconomic assessment and life cycle analysis have shown promising data on the use of biomass for the production of valuable compounds. However, some important points still have to be improved in order to create technologies with enough robustness for implementation on a large scale. Efforts are still required, for example, to develop efficient and cost-competitive strategies for biomass fractionation, fermentation, as well as for product separation from hydrolysate-based fermentation media. Lignin valorization and the development of biorefineries are also promising approaches to make the conversion of biomass into valuable products more economically feasible.

The aim of this Special Issue on “Bioenergy and Biobased Technologies to Support a Green Transition” is to collect high-quality scientific contributions regarding recent developments and ideas in areas related to the production of bioenergy, biofuels, and biobased products. Potential topics include but are not limited to: (a) biomass conversion by chemical, thermal or fermentation routes; (b) biomass pretreatment and hydrolysis; (c) fermentation of biomass hydrolysates (including strain selection and process optimization); (d) engineering of microbial strains for fermentation of biomass hydrolysates; (e) development and/or use of chemical catalysts for application on the conversion of biomass; (f) downstream process for separation and purification of biobased products; (g) lignin conversion/valorization; (h) process integration and development of biorefineries; (i) technoeconomic assessment and lifecycle analysis of biobased processes.

Prof. Dr. Solange I. Mussatto
Dr. Giuliano Dragone
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

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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 production
  • Biofuel production
  • Biobased products
  • Chemical and thermal conversion of biomass
  • Biomass pretreatment and hydrolysis
  • Fermentation of biomass hydrolysates
  • Microorganisms of interest for use in the conversion of biomass hydrolysates
  • Strain improvement for conversion of biomass hydrolysates
  • Downstream process for separation of biobased products
  • Lignin conversion/valorization
  • Biorefinery
  • Technoeconomic assessment of biobased technologies
  • Life cycle analysis of biobased technologies

Published Papers (7 papers)

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Research

19 pages, 3778 KiB  
Article
Effective Mild Ethanol-Based Organosolv Pre-Treatment for the Selective Valorization of Polysaccharides and Lignin from Agricultural and Forestry Residues
by Florbela Carvalheiro, Luís C. Duarte, Filipa Pires, Vanmira Van-Dúnem, Luís Sanfins, Luísa B. Roseiro and Francisco Gírio
Energies 2022, 15(15), 5654; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/en15155654 - 04 Aug 2022
Cited by 7 | Viewed by 1413
Abstract
Organosolv pre-treatments aiming to selectively remove and depolymerise lignin and hemicellulose and yield an easily digestible cellulose fraction are one of the potential options for industrial implementation within the biorefinery concept. However, the use of high temperatures and/or high catalyst concentrations is still [...] Read more.
Organosolv pre-treatments aiming to selectively remove and depolymerise lignin and hemicellulose and yield an easily digestible cellulose fraction are one of the potential options for industrial implementation within the biorefinery concept. However, the use of high temperatures and/or high catalyst concentrations is still hindering its wide adoption. In this work, mild temperature organosolv processes (140 °C) that were either non-catalysed or catalysed with sulphuric or acetic acid were compared to standard similar conditions using ethanol-based organosolv for both wheat straw (WS) and eucalyptus wood residues (ERs) as agricultural and forestry-derived model raw materials, respectively. The experimental results demonstrated that high cellulose purities could be obtained for the catalysed ethanol-based processing of the WS, which resulted in high saccharification yields (>80%), conversely to the non-catalysed process, which only reached values close to 70%. For eucalyptus residues (ERs), the pulp yields obtained were lower than the values obtained for the WS, suggesting that the ERs were a more reactive material. Cellulose purity was higher than that obtained for the corresponding treatment for the WS, with the highest cellulose purity being obtained for the ethanol-based process catalysed with sulphuric acid. Both materials presented high lignin yield recovery in the liquid stream. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Bioenergy and Biobased Technologies to Support a Green Transition)
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28 pages, 1860 KiB  
Article
Switchgrass and Giant Reed Energy Potential when Cultivated in Heavy Metals Contaminated Soils
by Leandro Gomes, Jorge Costa, Joana Moreira, Berta Cumbane, Marcelo Abias, Fernando Santos, Federica Zanetti, Andrea Monti and Ana Luisa Fernando
Energies 2022, 15(15), 5538; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/en15155538 - 30 Jul 2022
Cited by 9 | Viewed by 1808
Abstract
The cultivation of energy crops on degraded soils contributes to reduce the risks associated with land use change, and the biomass may represent an additional revenue as a feedstock for bioenergy. Switchgrass and giant reed were tested under 300 and 600 mg Cr [...] Read more.
The cultivation of energy crops on degraded soils contributes to reduce the risks associated with land use change, and the biomass may represent an additional revenue as a feedstock for bioenergy. Switchgrass and giant reed were tested under 300 and 600 mg Cr kg−1, 110 and 220 mg Ni kg−1, and 4 and 8 mg Cd kg−1 contaminated soils, in a two year pot experiment. Switchgrass yields (average aerial 330 g.m−2 and below ground 430 g.m−2), after the second year harvest, were not affected by Cd contamination and 110 mg Ni kg−1, but 220 mg Ni kg−1 significantly affected the yields (55–60% reduction). A total plant loss was observed in Cr-contaminated pots. Giant reed aboveground yields (control: 410 g.m−2), in the second year harvest, were significantly affected by all metals and levels of contamination (30–70% reduction), except in 110 mg Ni kg−1 pots. The belowground biomass yields (average 1600 g.m−2) were not affected by the tested metals. Contamination did not affect the high heating value (HHV) of switchgrass (average 18.4 MJ.kg−1) and giant reed aerial fractions (average 18.9 MJ.kg−1, stems, and 18.1 MJ.kg−1, leaves), harvested in the second year, indicating that the biomass can be exploited for bioenergy. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Bioenergy and Biobased Technologies to Support a Green Transition)
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13 pages, 2763 KiB  
Article
Towards the Physiological Understanding of Yarrowia lipolytica Growth and Lipase Production Using Waste Cooking Oils
by Mattia Colacicco, Cosetta Ciliberti, Gennaro Agrimi, Antonino Biundo and Isabella Pisano
Energies 2022, 15(14), 5217; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/en15145217 - 19 Jul 2022
Cited by 7 | Viewed by 1724
Abstract
The yeast Yarrowia lipolytica is an industrially relevant microorganism, which is able to convert low-value wastes into different high-value, bio-based products, such as enzymes, lipids, and other important metabolites. Waste cooking oil (WCO) represents one of the main streams generated in the food [...] Read more.
The yeast Yarrowia lipolytica is an industrially relevant microorganism, which is able to convert low-value wastes into different high-value, bio-based products, such as enzymes, lipids, and other important metabolites. Waste cooking oil (WCO) represents one of the main streams generated in the food supply chain, especially from the domestic sector. The need to avoid its incorrect disposal makes this waste a resource for developing bioprocesses in the perspective of a circular bioeconomy. To this end, the strain Y. lipolytica W29 was used as a platform for the simultaneous production of intracellular lipids and extracellular lipases. Three different minimal media conditions with different pH controls were utilized in a small-scale (50 mL final volume) screening strategy, and the best condition was tested for an up-scaling procedure in higher volumes (800 mL) by selecting the best-performing possibility. The tested media were constituted by YNB media with high nitrogen restriction (1 g L−1 (NH4)2SO4) and different carbon sources (3% w v−1 glucose and 10% v v−1 WCO) with different levels of pH controls. Lipase production and SCO content were analyzed. A direct correlation was found between decreasing FFA availability in the media and increasing SCO levels and lipase activity. The simultaneous production of extracellular lipase (1.164 ± 0.025 U mL−1) and intracellular single-cell oil accumulation by Y. lipolytica W29 growing on WCO demonstrates the potential and the industrial relevance of this biorefinery model. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Bioenergy and Biobased Technologies to Support a Green Transition)
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21 pages, 4038 KiB  
Article
The Consistency of Yields and Chemical Composition of HTL Bio-Oils from Lignins Produced by Different Preprocessing Technologies
by Hilde Vik Halleraker, Konstantinos Kalogiannis, Angelos Lappas, Rafael C. A. Castro, Ines C. Roberto, Solange I. Mussatto and Tanja Barth
Energies 2022, 15(13), 4707; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/en15134707 - 27 Jun 2022
Cited by 4 | Viewed by 1295
Abstract
This work evaluates the effect of feedstock type and composition on the conversion of lignin to liquid by solvolysis with formic acid as hydrogen donor (LtL), by analyzing the yields and molecular composition of the liquid products and interpreting them in terms of [...] Read more.
This work evaluates the effect of feedstock type and composition on the conversion of lignin to liquid by solvolysis with formic acid as hydrogen donor (LtL), by analyzing the yields and molecular composition of the liquid products and interpreting them in terms of both the type and the preprocessing of the lignocellulosic biomass using chemometric data analysis. Lignin samples of different types and purities from softwood, hardwood, and grasses (rice straw and corn stover) have been converted to bio-oil, and the molecular composition analyzed and quantified using GC-MS. LtL solvolysis was found to be a robust method for lignin conversion in terms of converting all samples into bio-oils rich in phenolic compounds regardless of the purity of the lignin sample. The bio-oil yields ranged from 24–94 wt.% relative to lignin input and could be modelled well as a function of the elemental composition of the feedstock. On a molecular basis, the softwood-derived bio-oil contained the most guaiacol-derivatives, and syringol was correlated to hardwood. However, the connection between compounds in the bio-oil and lignin origin was less pronounced than the effects of the methods for biomass fractionation, showing that the pretreatment of the biomass dominates both the yield and molecular composition of the bio-oil and must be addressed as a primary concern when utilization of lignin in a biorefinery is planned. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Bioenergy and Biobased Technologies to Support a Green Transition)
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12 pages, 555 KiB  
Article
Development of Sustainable Biorefinery Processes Applying Deep Eutectic Solvents to Agrofood Wastes
by María Guadalupe Morán-Aguilar, Iván Costa-Trigo, Alexandra María Ramírez-Pérez, Esther de Blas, Montserrat Calderón-Santoyo, María Guadalupe Aguilar-Uscanga and José Manuel Domínguez
Energies 2022, 15(11), 4101; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/en15114101 - 02 Jun 2022
Cited by 7 | Viewed by 1527
Abstract
The growing demand for renewable energies and the application of sustainable and economically viable biorefinery processes have increased the study and application of lignocellulosic biomass. However, due to lignocellulosic biomass recalcitrance hindering its efficient utilization, the pretreatment in the biorefinery is an essential [...] Read more.
The growing demand for renewable energies and the application of sustainable and economically viable biorefinery processes have increased the study and application of lignocellulosic biomass. However, due to lignocellulosic biomass recalcitrance hindering its efficient utilization, the pretreatment in the biorefinery is an essential stage for success in the process. Therefore, Deep Eutectic Solvent (DES) has emerged as a promising green pretreatment. During this study, the effect of choline chloride [ChCl]:glycerol and [ChCl]:urea on sugarcane bagasse and brewery bagasse is evaluated. Results have demonstrated that using [ChCl]:glycerol in SCB reduced about 80% and 15% for acid-soluble lignin and Klason lignin, respectively, and improved efficiency on saccharification yields, achieving conversions of 60, 80, and 100% for glucan, xylan, and arabinan, correspondingly. In the case of BSG saccharification yields, about 65% and 98% are attained for glucan and xylan, respectively, when [ChCl]:glycerol was employed. These results confirm the effectiveness and facility of DES pretreatment as a suitable method that can improve the biorefinery processes. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Bioenergy and Biobased Technologies to Support a Green Transition)
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23 pages, 2376 KiB  
Article
A Simplified Techno-Economic Analysis for Sophorolipid Production in a Solid-State Fermentation Process
by María Martínez, Alejandra Rodríguez, Teresa Gea and Xavier Font
Energies 2022, 15(11), 4077; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/en15114077 - 01 Jun 2022
Cited by 10 | Viewed by 2645
Abstract
Sophorolipids (SLs) are microbial biosurfactants with an important role in industry and a continuously growing market. This research addresses the use of sustainable resources as feedstock for bioproducts. Winterization oil cake (WOC) and molasses are suitable substrates for SLs via solid-state fermentation (SSF). [...] Read more.
Sophorolipids (SLs) are microbial biosurfactants with an important role in industry and a continuously growing market. This research addresses the use of sustainable resources as feedstock for bioproducts. Winterization oil cake (WOC) and molasses are suitable substrates for SLs via solid-state fermentation (SSF). The model proposed herein was established for annually processing 750 t of WOC and comparing three support materials: wheat straw (WS), rice husk (RH), and coconut fiber (CF). Production capacity ranged 325–414 t of SLs per year. Unit Production Cost was 5.1, 5.7, and 6.9 USD/kg SL for WS, RH, and CF production models, respectively, and was slightly lower with other substrates. Financial parameters were CAPEX 6.7 MM USD and OPEX 1.9 MM USD/y, with a NPV, IRR and payback time of 6.4 MM USD, 31% and 3.2 y, respectively. SLs recovery from the solid matrix was the major contributor to operating costs, while fermentation equipment shaped capital costs. Results show that the physical properties (bulk density, WHC) of substrates and supports define process costs beyond substrate purchase costs and process yields in SSF systems. To our knowledge, this is the first attempt to model SLs production via SSF at full scale for the economic valuation of the SSF process. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Bioenergy and Biobased Technologies to Support a Green Transition)
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12 pages, 2387 KiB  
Article
Effects of Inhibitory Compounds Present in Lignocellulosic Biomass Hydrolysates on the Growth of Bacillus subtilis
by Lucas van der Maas, Jasper L. S. P. Driessen and Solange I. Mussatto
Energies 2021, 14(24), 8419; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/en14248419 - 14 Dec 2021
Cited by 10 | Viewed by 2217
Abstract
This study evaluated the individual and combined effects of inhibitory compounds formed during pretreatment of lignocellulosic biomass on the growth of Bacillus subtilis. Ten inhibitory compounds commonly present in lignocellulosic hydrolysates were evaluated, which included sugar degradation products (furfural and 5-hydroxymethylfurfural), acetic [...] Read more.
This study evaluated the individual and combined effects of inhibitory compounds formed during pretreatment of lignocellulosic biomass on the growth of Bacillus subtilis. Ten inhibitory compounds commonly present in lignocellulosic hydrolysates were evaluated, which included sugar degradation products (furfural and 5-hydroxymethylfurfural), acetic acid, and seven phenolic compounds derived from lignin (benzoic acid, vanillin, vanillic acid, ferulic acid, p-coumaric acid, 4-hydroxybenzoic acid, and syringaldehyde). For the individual inhibitors, syringaldehyde showed the most toxic effect, completely inhibiting the strain growth at 0.1 g/L. In the sequence, assays using mixtures of the inhibitory compounds at a concentration of 12.5% of their IC50 value were performed to evaluate the combined effect of the inhibitors on the strain growth. These experiments were planned according to a Plackett–Burman experimental design. Statistical analysis of the results revealed that in a mixture, benzoic acid and furfural were the most potent inhibitors affecting the growth of B. subtilis. These results contribute to a better understanding of the individual and combined effects of inhibitory compounds present in biomass hydrolysates on the microbial performance of B. subtilis. Such knowledge is important to advance the development of sustainable biomanufacturing processes using this strain cultivated in complex media produced from lignocellulosic biomass, supporting the development of efficient bio-based processes using B. subtilis. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Bioenergy and Biobased Technologies to Support a Green Transition)
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