Nanotechnology in Bioprocess Development: Applications of Nanoparticles in the Generation of Biofuels

Abstract

Nanotechnology has attracted significant attention in the recent decades due to the unique physical and chemical properties of nanomaterials that promote its application in several biotechnological fields such as bioprocessing, agriculture, biosensor, bioelectronics, biopharmaceuticals and medicine. More specifically, nanotechnology has been employed in various bioprocesses to improve the microbial metabolic activities by their integration with metabolic intermediates and key enzyme activities to increase glycolytic rates, cell-substrate affinity, growth rate, mass transfer rate and modulation of oxidation–reduction potential (ORP). Similarly, nanobiotechnology has been implemented efficiently to improve hydrolytic, liquefying and saccharifying enzymatic activities, triggering of respirofermentative cellular activities as well as stimulate the formation of cytochromes and ferroxins (Fd) for cellular energy metabolism hence enhancing the process performance and consequently high product yields. This chapter focuses on the application of nanotechnology for the enhancement of biofuel production processes. An overview of suitable feedstocks for biofuel production and lignocellulosic pre-treatment techniques is presented. The use of nanometric materials for microalgae cultivation, harvesting as well as lipid extraction, transesterification and conversion to biodiesel is discussed. Furthermore, the impact of nanoparticles as biocatalytic additives in bioethanol, biohydrogen, biomethane and biogas production is detailed. The implementation of nano-based immobilization matrices for biofuel production is reviewed. Finally, the current challenges and future outlook on the application of nanotechnology in biofuel production processes are highlighted.