Chapter 7 - Microbial bioprospecting of biodiesel industry-derived crude glycerol waste conversion into value-added products

Abstract

The majority of energy sources for transportation and electricity generation are produced from finite and diminishing fossil hydrocarbon deposits. A vast range of organic carbon-based chemical compounds are also made from fossil hydrocarbons. In the long run, the present global reliance on fossil fuels will not be ecologically or economically viable. Fossil fuels and other energy sources are used to power rapid industrial and economic development. Restricted oil revenues, environmental concerns, and transportation costs point to a carbon-neutral, renewable, and long-term fuel. Biodiesel is attractive as a biofuel since it reduces global dependency on fossil fuels and the greenhouse effect when compared to other carbon-based fuels. Approximately 10% of glycerol is generated during the transesterification process in biodiesel plants during biodiesel manufacturing. The removal of crude glycerol is critical because it includes salt, free fatty acids, and methanol, all of which can contaminate soil and pose environmental risks to researchers. Nevertheless, the high cost and market capacity of crude glycerol refining have pushed biodiesel producers to develop creative ways to generate additional revenue and handle biodiesel waste. Microorganisms have been used to manufacture high-value compounds, and this chapter presents an overview of research on the use of crude glycerol by microorganisms to make commercially important products. As a by-product of biodiesel manufacturing, glycerol could be used as a feedstock for a variety of goods now manufactured by the petroleum-based chemical sector.