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Advances in Biochemical Conversion Technologies of Waste to Bioenergy, Biochemicals, and Biomaterials

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A special issue of International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health (ISSN 1660-4601). This special issue belongs to the section "Environmental Science and Engineering".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (31 January 2022) | Viewed by 27627

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Special Issue Editors

Dr. Haris Nalakath Abubackar

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Guest Editor

Instituto de Tecnologia Química e Biológica António Xavier, Universidade Nova de Lisboa, Avenida da República (EAN), 2780-157 Oeiras, Portugal
Interests: bioelectrochemistry; bioelectrochemical system; hybrid bioprocessing; C1 gas fermentation; waste biorefinery
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Dr. Tugba Keskin

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Guest Editor

Department of Industrial engineering, Faculty of engineering, Izmir Democracy University, 35140 Izmir, Turkey
Interests: biogas; biohydrogen; bioethanol; microbial chain elongation; biocalcification; syngas fermentation, circular economy
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Dr. Luciana Peixoto

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Guest Editor

CEB, Centre of Biological Engineering, University of Minho, Campus de Gualtar, 4710-057 Braga, Portugal
Interests: bioelectrochemical systems (BES); microbial fuel cell (MFC); microbial electrosynthesis; electron transfer mechanism; bioremediation; biosensors; resource recovery
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Prof. Dr. Azize Ayol

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Guest Editor

Dokuz Eylül University, Department of Environmental Engineering, Izmir, Turkey
Interests: water/wastewater treatment; Solid waste management; modeling; rheology; gasification; microbial fuel cell; renewable energy; environmental impact assessment

Prof. Dr. Chunping Yang

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor

1. School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Guangdong University of Petrochemical Technology, Maoming 525000, China
2. College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Hunan University, Changsha 410082, China
Interests: advanced oxidation; alga; biofiltration; biosorption; duckweed; oxidative desulfurization; photocatalysis; surfactant; swine wastewater; volatile organic compound
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Global concern about fossil fuel depletion and its harmful effects on the environment is ever more prominent, and has led to a focus on searching for alternative sources for sustainable fuel, chemical, and material production. There has been an increasing trend of using various biochemical conversion technologies such as anaerobic digestion, composting, fermentation, and microbial electrochemical technologies for simultaneously extracting resources from waste along with its treatment. Residual waste such as forest residues, agro-industrial waste, organic fraction of municipal solid waste, and animal manure are recognized as sustainable feedstocks—upon some pretreatment, its biodegradability can be enhanced and is subsequently accessible for microorganisms for converting it into a plethora of value-added products. Industrial waste gas pollutants such as CO and CO₂ bioconversion to biofuels, such as ethanol, butanol, and hexanol, using acetogens is another approach that has been explored greatly in recent years. On the other hand, electrochemically active bacteria oxidize the organic matter present in wastewater into electrons and protons at the anode, and generate electricity or hydrogen at the cathode end through microbial fuel or the microbial electrolysis system, respectively. A more recent approach, termed microbial electro-synthesis, reduces the greenhouse gas CO₂ to multi-carbon compounds using the electrons received from the cathode.

This Special Issue titled “Advances in Biochemical Conversion Technologies of Waste to Bioenergy, Biochemicals, and Biomaterials” intends to highlight recent developments and innovative bioprocess technology research in the recovery of resources from solid, liquid, and gaseous waste. We would like to invite authors to submit original and state-of-the-art critical reviews within the theme of the Special Issue, which include, but are not limited to, the following:

Theme 1: anaerobic digestion technology; biogas upgrading; biohydrogen production technology; pretreatment methods; bio-hythane

Theme 2: syngas fermentation: acetogens; hydrogenotrophic methanogens; carbon monoxide/carbon dioxide bioconversion; biological water gas shift reaction

Theme 3: microbial electrochemical technologies: exoelectrogens; electrotrophs; microbial fuel cell (MFC); microbial electrolysis cell (MEC); microbial electrosynthesis (MES); biosensors

Theme 4: bioproducts: biofuel (ethanol, butanol, hexanol, biogas, and biohydrogen); biochemicals; bioelectricity; biopolymers; microbial proteins.

Theme 5: innovative bioreactor design; modelling; genetic and metabolic engineering; sustainability and techno-economic analysis

Dr. Haris Nalakath Abubackar
Prof. Dr. Tugba Keskin
Dr. Luciana Peixoto
Prof. Dr. Azize Ayol
Prof. Dr. Chunping Yang
Guest Editors

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. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health 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 2500 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
pretreatment
bioprocess engineering
microbial conversion
anaerobic digestion
aerobic process
fermentation
microbial electrochemical technology
biological waste treatment
bioreactors
biofuels
biogas
biohydrogen
biopolymers
microbial proteins
biofertilizer
genetic and metabolic engineering
circular economy
Renewable energy

Published Papers (7 papers)

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Research

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14 pages, 3779 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Effects of Sulfamethazine and Cupric Ion on Treatment of Anaerobically Digested Swine Wastewater with Growing Duckweed

by Yu Xiao, Chunping Yang and Jay J. Cheng

Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2022, 19(4), 1949; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/ijerph19041949 - 10 Feb 2022

Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1696

Abstract

Duckweed (Spirodela polyrrhiza) has the potential to treat anaerobically digested swine wastewater (ADSW), but the effects of antibiotics and heavy metals in ADSW on the treatment performance and mechanism of Spirodela polyrrhiza are not clear. Herein, an experiment was conducted to investigate the effects of sulfamethazine (SMZ) and cupric ion on NH4+-N and total phosphorus (TP) removal from synthetic ADSW. The activity of superoxide dismutase (SOD) and the contents of photosynthetic pigments, vitamin E, and proteins in duckweed were also evaluated. Under the stress of SMZ, duckweed showed excellent removal efficiency of nutrients, and the results of SOD activity and photosynthetic pigments content indicated that duckweed had good tolerance to SMZ. Interestingly, a combined application of SMZ and cupric ion would inhibit the nutrient removal by duckweed, but significantly increased the contents of photosynthetic pigments, proteins, and vitamin E. In addition, the consequence indicated that high value-added protein and vitamin E products could be produced and harvested by cultivating duckweed in ADSW. Furthermore, possible degradation pathways of SMZ in the duckweed system were proposed based on the analysis with LC-MS/MS. This research proposed a novel view for using duckweed system to remove nutrients from ADSW and produce value-added products under the stress of SMZ and cupric ion. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Biochemical Conversion Technologies of Waste to Bioenergy, Biochemicals, and Biomaterials)

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14 pages, 5237 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Transcriptome Profiles of Leaves and Roots of Goldenrain Tree (Koelreuteria paniculata Laxm.) in Response to Cadmium Stress

by Qihao He, Tao Zhou, Jikang Sun, Ping Wang, Chunping Yang, Lei Bai and Zhiming Liu

Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2021, 18(22), 12046; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/ijerph182212046 - 16 Nov 2021

Cited by 10 | Viewed by 2098

Abstract

Cadmium (Cd) pollution is a widespread environmental problem. In this study, we explored the transcriptome and biochemical responses of goldenrain tree (Koelreuteria paniculata Laxm.) leaves and roots to Cd stress. Leaf and root growth decreased substantially under Cd stress (50 mg/L CdCl₂), but leaf and root antioxidant mechanisms were significantly activated. In RNA-seq analysis, roots treated with 25 mg/L CdCl₂ featured enriched GO terms in cellular components related to intracellular ribonucleoprotein complex, ribonucleoprotein complex, and macromolecular complex. In leaves under Cd stress, most differentially expressed genes were enriched in the cellular component terms intrinsic component of membrane and membrane part. Weighted gene co-expression network analysis and analysis of module–trait relations revealed candidate genes associated with superoxide dismutase (SOD), peroxidase (POD), and catalase (CAT) activities and malondialdehyde (MDA). Ten transcription factors responded to Cd stress expression, including those in C2H2, MYB, WRKY, and bZIP families. Transcriptomic analysis of goldenrain tree revealed that Cd stress rapidly induced the intracellular ribonucleoprotein complex in the roots and the intrinsic component of membrane in the leaves. The results also indicate directions for further analyses of molecular mechanisms of Cd tolerance and accumulation in goldenrain tree. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Biochemical Conversion Technologies of Waste to Bioenergy, Biochemicals, and Biomaterials)

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Review

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30 pages, 6451 KiB

Open AccessReview

A Review of the Sustainable Utilization of Rice Residues for Bioenergy Conversion Using Different Valorization Techniques, Their Challenges, and Techno-Economic Assessment

by Sivabalan Kaniapan, Jagadeesh Pasupuleti, Kartikeyan Patma Nesan, Haris Nalakath Abubackar, Hadiza Aminu Umar, Temidayo Lekan Oladosu, Segun R. Bello and Eldon R. Rene

Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2022, 19(6), 3427; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/ijerph19063427 - 14 Mar 2022

Cited by 18 | Viewed by 4568

Abstract

The impetus to predicting future biomass consumption focuses on sustainable energy, which concerns the non-renewable nature of fossil fuels and the environmental challenges associated with fossil fuel burning. However, the production of rice residue in the form of rice husk (RH) and rice straw (RS) has brought an array of benefits, including its utilization as biofuel to augment or replace fossil fuel. Rice residue characterization, valorization, and techno-economic analysis require a comprehensive review to maximize its inherent energy conversion potential. Therefore, the focus of this review is on the assessment of rice residue characterization, valorization approaches, pre-treatment limitations, and techno–economic analyses that yield a better biofuel to adapt to current and future energy demand. The pre-treatment methods are also discussed through torrefaction, briquetting, pelletization and hydrothermal carbonization. The review also covers the limitations of rice residue utilization, as well as the phase structure of thermochemical and biochemical processes. The paper concludes that rice residue is a preferable sustainable biomass option for both economic and environmental growth. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Biochemical Conversion Technologies of Waste to Bioenergy, Biochemicals, and Biomaterials)

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14 pages, 1641 KiB

Open AccessReview

Renewable Butanol Production via Catalytic Routes

by Heeyoung Choi, Jeehoon Han and Jechan Lee

Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2021, 18(22), 11749; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/ijerph182211749 - 09 Nov 2021

Cited by 16 | Viewed by 2618

Abstract

Fluctuating crude oil price and global environmental problems such as global warming and climate change lead to growing demand for the production of renewable chemicals as petrochemical substitutes. Butanol is a nonpolar alcohol that is used in a large variety of consumer products and as an important industrial intermediate. Thus, the production of butanol from renewable resources (e.g., biomass and organic waste) has gained a great deal of attention from researchers. Although typical renewable butanol is produced via a fermentative route (i.e., acetone-butanol-ethanol (ABE) fermentation of biomass-derived sugars), the fermentative butanol production has disadvantages such as a low yield of butanol and the formation of byproducts, such as acetone and ethanol. To avoid the drawbacks, the production of renewable butanol via non-fermentative catalytic routes has been recently proposed. This review is aimed at providing an overview on three different emerging and promising catalytic routes from biomass/organic waste-derived chemicals to butanol. The first route involves the conversion of ethanol into butanol over metal and oxide catalysts. Volatile fatty acid can be a raw chemical for the production of butanol using porous materials and metal catalysts. In addition, biomass-derived syngas can be transformed to butanol on non-noble metal catalysts promoted by alkali metals. The prospect of catalytic renewable butanol production is also discussed. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Biochemical Conversion Technologies of Waste to Bioenergy, Biochemicals, and Biomaterials)

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36 pages, 2616 KiB

Open AccessReview

Reactor Designs and Configurations for Biological and Bioelectrochemical C1 Gas Conversion: A Review

by Azize Ayol, Luciana Peixoto, Tugba Keskin and Haris Nalakath Abubackar

Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2021, 18(21), 11683; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/ijerph182111683 - 07 Nov 2021

Cited by 17 | Viewed by 5335

Abstract

Microbial C1 gas conversion technologies have developed into a potentially promising technology for converting waste gases (CO₂, CO) into chemicals, fuels, and other materials. However, the mass transfer constraint of these poorly soluble substrates to microorganisms is an important challenge to maximize the efficiencies of the processes. These technologies have attracted significant scientific interest in recent years, and many reactor designs have been explored. Syngas fermentation and hydrogenotrophic methanation use molecular hydrogen as an electron donor. Furthermore, the sequestration of CO₂ and the generation of valuable chemicals through the application of a biocathode in bioelectrochemical cells have been evaluated for their great potential to contribute to sustainability. Through a process termed microbial chain elongation, the product portfolio from C1 gas conversion may be expanded further by carefully driving microorganisms to perform acetogenesis, solventogenesis, and reverse β-oxidation. The purpose of this review is to provide an overview of the various kinds of bioreactors that are employed in these microbial C1 conversion processes. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Biochemical Conversion Technologies of Waste to Bioenergy, Biochemicals, and Biomaterials)

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27 pages, 5066 KiB

Open AccessReview

A Review on Bacterial Contribution to Lignocellulose Breakdown into Useful Bio-Products

by Ogechukwu Bose Chukwuma, Mohd Rafatullah, Husnul Azan Tajarudin and Norli Ismail

Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2021, 18(11), 6001; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/ijerph18116001 - 03 Jun 2021

Cited by 37 | Viewed by 4858

Abstract

Discovering novel bacterial strains might be the link to unlocking the value in lignocellulosic bio-refinery as we strive to find alternative and cleaner sources of energy. Bacteria display promise in lignocellulolytic breakdown because of their innate ability to adapt and grow under both optimum and extreme conditions. This versatility of bacterial strains is being harnessed, with qualities like adapting to various temperature, aero tolerance, and nutrient availability driving the use of bacteria in bio-refinery studies. Their flexible nature holds exciting promise in biotechnology, but despite recent pointers to a greener edge in the pretreatment of lignocellulose biomass and lignocellulose-driven bioconversion to value-added products, the cost of adoption and subsequent scaling up industrially still pose challenges to their adoption. However, recent studies have seen the use of co-culture, co-digestion, and bioengineering to overcome identified setbacks to using bacterial strains to breakdown lignocellulose into its major polymers and then to useful products ranging from ethanol, enzymes, biodiesel, bioflocculants, and many others. In this review, research on bacteria involved in lignocellulose breakdown is reviewed and summarized to provide background for further research. Future perspectives are explored as bacteria have a role to play in the adoption of greener energy alternatives using lignocellulosic biomass. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Biochemical Conversion Technologies of Waste to Bioenergy, Biochemicals, and Biomaterials)

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20 pages, 2210 KiB

Open AccessReview

Advancement in Benthic Microbial Fuel Cells toward Sustainable Bioremediation and Renewable Energy Production

by Mohammad Faisal Umar, Mohd Rafatullah, Syed Zaghum Abbas, Mohamad Nasir Mohamad Ibrahim and Norli Ismail

Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2021, 18(7), 3811; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/ijerph18073811 - 06 Apr 2021

Cited by 24 | Viewed by 4072

Abstract

Anthropogenic activities are largely responsible for the vast amounts of pollutants such as polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, cyanides, phenols, metal derivatives, sulphides, and other chemicals in wastewater. The excess benzene, toluene and xylene (BTX) can cause severe toxicity to living organisms in wastewater. A novel approach to mitigate this problem is the benthic microbial fuel cell (BMFC) setup to produce renewable energy and bio-remediate wastewater aromatic hydrocarbons. Several mechanisms of electrogens have been utilized for the bioremediation of BTX through BMFCs. In the future, BMFCs may be significant for chemical and petrochemical industry wastewater treatment. The distinct factors are considered to evaluate the performance of BMFCs, such as pollutant removal efficiency, power density, and current density, which are discussed by using operating parameters such as, pH, temperature and internal resistance. To further upgrade the BMFC technology, this review summarizes prototype electrode materials, the bioremediation of BTX, and their applications. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Biochemical Conversion Technologies of Waste to Bioenergy, Biochemicals, and Biomaterials)

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