Main Source Of Biomass Research Articles

Fuel for collective action: A SWOT analysis to identify social barriers and drivers for a local woody biomass supply chain in an Italian alpine valley

The role of woody biomass in the clean energy transition is substantial in the EU. Forest residues are one of the main biomass sources that can be used for energy production, but their use to support the energy transition is still limited for several reasons. Research has shown that the use of forest residues in energy production can be effectively stimulated through collective actions that aim to develop short and local supply chains. This study aims to identify the barriers and drivers for the development of a local supply chain for forest residues in an Italian alpine valley, gathering and analysing the perspectives of all involved local actors, that is, (i) suppliers - the communities that own the forest resources, (ii) intermediaries - the forest professionals providing extension and advice services to owners and the harvesting companies; and (iii) the final consumers, in this case the local municipalities and hospitality enterprises. Data are analysed using a SWOT analysis. The results show that the suppliers identified opportunities especially, while the final consumers focused more on strengths, weaknesses, and threats. The SWOT categories in terms of the number of different factors were weaknesses (37 %), strengths (27 %), threats (18 %), and opportunities (17 %). Opportunities and strengths were considered as drivers, while threats and weaknesses were barriers. Several drivers emerged, such as a general predisposition toward the development of a local supply chain for forest residues, social homogeneity in terms of knowledge and management of the land, and common challenges. Barriers also emerged in the form of limited know-how on the supply chain potential, but also in limited availability to concede control between different forest owners over their property. The SWOT results are useful to design strategies to support the development of the supply chain: four possible strategies, amongst which flexible cooperation processes between different categories of stakeholders, and the organisation of a buying group of the hospitality enterprises, were suggested.

Green Extraction Techniques of Bioactive Compounds: A State-of-the-Art Review

Green extraction techniques are more and more relevant due to major sustainable goals set by the United Nations. Greener extraction processes are being designed through the use of unconventional extraction techniques and green solvents, resulting in less hazardous processes which, consequently, reduces environmental impacts. This is also in line with the main principles of green chemistry. Additionally, greener extraction techniques intend to solve different drawbacks that are often related to conventional extraction techniques such as the high environmental impact. Biorefineries are a major player in developing greener extraction processes. These facilities take full advantage of several biomass sources, such as food waste, microalgae, and lignocellulosic biomass, in order to create high-value products, energy, alternative fuels, and bioactive compounds. Herein, a state-of-the-art review is presented, focused on presenting the greenest and least hazardous extraction processes that have been reported on the main biomass sources of a biorefinery—food waste, microalgae, and lignocellulosic biomass. Bioactive compounds such as phenolic compounds, bioactive pigments, and fatty acids are important in several sectors, mainly, the health, pharmaceutical, and agro-food sectors. Moreover, the bioactive compounds obtained through the aforementioned biomass sources and the different extraction procedures used will be presented and the authors will attempt to discuss, compare, and provide information about the most effective extraction techniques for each compound. Therewith, this review article should serve as a guide for industries, academics, and biorefineries in the future development of optimized and greener extraction procedures. Such analysis is lacking and could be very helpful for future research biorefinery projects since it tackles all of the major biomass sources of a biorefinery in a review article. To the best of our knowledge, this brings a novelty to the scientific community.

An overview on the brazilian electricity production based on biomass / Uma visão geral sobre a produção brasileira de eletricidade com base na biomassa

In Brazil, renewable sources have gradually assumed an important role in the generation of electricity. This work aims to present the main sources of biomass used for electricity production in the country such as sugarcane, black liquor, forest residue, charcoal, rice hulls, elephant grass, biogas (animal and agriculture waste) and biomass for blast furnace gas generation. Based on official data, the article presents the main biomass sources for electricity production, their power generation capability and respective geographical location along the country. Additionally, the names of main power generation plants based on biomass are listed, and their characteristics are discussed.

Electric and Thermal Energy Production and Storage System by Pinecone Waste

Rural ecosystems are the main source of biomass used in the production of renewable energy in Portugal. However, it is based on pruning residues are most of the raw material for biomass leaving other opportunities aside. This paper highlights the role of pinecone waste without pinion for the energy sector. The present paper studies different solutions to enhance the use of the pinecones for energy proposes. The present paper also presents the different principal technologies. It is possible to conclude that the use of residual biomass is a way to reduce the national dependence on energy imports (fossil specialties), decreases transport losses (by allowing local production and consumption locally) and encourages the management of forest areas (fixing people in rural areas and lowers the risk of fire).

THE ROLE OF AGRICULTURAL BIOMASS IN THE FUTURE BIOECONOMY

The European Commission presented the 2018 Bioeconomy strategy, which developed an action plan for a resource-efficient, competitive and sustainable economy. The bioeconomy sectors are also linked to the European Green Deal, Stepping up Europe’s 2030 climate ambition Communication, Farm to Folk Strategy and other innovation strategies. In the transition to a low carbon world, biomass plays a crucial role as an alternative to fossil resources. In the EU, agriculture is the main source of biomass with 68% of the total supply. The paper analyses European Union agricultural biomass potential, supply and use. Agricultural biomass is part of the core bioeconomy sectors and its demand is increasing. However, the potential of biomass and its alternative uses are a major concern. Biomass is a renewable but limited resource and, on that basis, it is important to outline the balance and to pay attention to the relationship between the nutritional and industrial needs of biomass in terms of food and energy security. The policy framework in this regard has to be complex and well-targeted. The biomass use could lead to a number of benefits associated with resolving global issues. On the other hand, if sustainability is not taken into account, the opportunities for inclusive growth and development will not be achieved.

Production of dietary fibers from sugarcane bagasse and sugarcane tops using microwave-assisted alkaline treatments

Sugar industries generate a big amount of residues during the harvest and milling of sugarcane. Both sugarcane bagasse and tops are two of the main biomass sources that potentially become part of the environmental pollution. These fibers can be theoretically used to obtain added value products, but require effective methods to separate lignin from biomass. The present paper intends to evaluate the effects of a microwave process (600 W, 5 min) applied during alkaline treatments of sugarcane bagasse (SBC) and sugarcane tops (SCTs) to separate lignocellulosic compounds and use them as nutraceutical ingredients of human food such as chapatti-type fermented bread and noodle-type pasta. Two alkaline treatments using sodium hydroxide (NaOH) and hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) with concentrations of 15, 22.5, 30, 37.5 mmol were analyzed. The study found that the alkaline treatments assisted with microwave heating could remove lignin more efficiently than the traditional method (immersion). The assistance of the microwave process during alkaline treatments is an alternative to deconstruct the lignocellulosic structure. From the evaluated concentrations, the highest lignin removal was observed with NaOH (37.5 mmol) for both kinds of fibers. Hedonic responses suggest that the addition of 8 wt.% of treated fibers during the production of chapatti-type fermented bread (with SCB) or noodle-type pasta (with SCTs) is suitable for human consumption; additionally, dietary trends for lower digestibility were observed in the fortified food.

Divergent microbial communities in groundwater and overlying soils exhibit functional redundancy for plant-polysaccharide degradation

Light driven primary production by plants is the main source of biomass in terrestrial ecosystems. But also in subsurface habitats like aquifers, life is fueled largely by this plant-derived biomass. Here, we investigate the degradation of plant-derived polysaccharides in a groundwater microbiome to identify the microbial key players involved, and compare them to those from soil of the groundwater recharge area. We quantified the activities of enzymes degrading the abundant plant polymers starch, cellulose and hemicellulose in oligotrophic groundwater samples, despite the low cell numbers present. Normalized to 16S rRNA gene copy numbers, these activities were only one order of magnitude lower than in soil. Stimulation of the groundwater microbiome with either starch or cellulose and hemicellulose led to changes of the enzymatic activity ratios, indicating autochthonous production of enzymes in response to the plant polymers. Furthermore, DNA stable isotope probing with 13C labelled plant polymers allowed us to identify microbes involved in the degradation of these compounds. In (hemi)cellulose microcosms, Bacteroidia and Candidatus Parcubacteria were active, while the active community in starch microcosms mostly comprised Candidatus Saccharibacteria, Cytophagia, and Actinobacteria. Not a single one of the active OTUs was also found to be labelled in soil microcosms. This indicates that the degradation of plant-derived polysaccharides in groundwater is driven by organisms completely distinct from those active in soil. The involvement of members of the candidate phyla Cand. Parcubacteria and Cand. Saccharibacteria, organisms known to be abundant in groundwater, in plant-derived organic matter degradation might strongly impact subsurface carbon cycling.

Potential of Biomass Based Electricity Generation in Sri Lanka

Biomass has attracted much attention as a primary energy source for electricity generation due to its potential to supply low cost fuel source with considerable environmental and socio-economic benefits. Despite having favorable climatic conditions to grow and use biomass for electricity generation, biomass based electricity generation in Sri Lanka is lagging behind due to many reasons. Many countries rely on the agricultural or forestry by-products or residuals as the main source of biomass for electricity generation mainly due to the comparatively low cost and sustainable supply of these by-products. Sri Lanka does not have this advantage and has to rely mainly on purposely grown biomass for electricity generation. Development of short rotation energy plantations seems to be the best option available for Sri Lanka to produce biomass for commercial scale electricity generation. The highly favorable growing conditions, availability of promising tree species and a variety of plantation management options and significant environmental and socio-economic benefits associated with energy plantation development greatly favor this option. This paper examines the potential of using plantation grown biomass as a fuel source for electricity generation in Sri Lanka.

Bioenergy Resources in Latvia

<p class="R-AbstractKeywords"><span lang="EN-US">The paper presents results of study aimed to evaluate issues of current development of bioenergy in Latvia, taking into account restrictions, which may affect future progress of main biomass sources. These restrictions are based on latest European Union (EU) regulations and recommendations; and worldwide concerns of scholars on sustainability, particularly environmental (e.g. biodiversity, ecosystem resilience, carbon sequestration) of bioenergy (biomass) development. The appropriate qualitative and quantitative research methods have been used in the process of study. The results of examination suggest that biomass possesses one of the greatest potentials for further increasing renewables production, particularly in Latvia. The characteristics and perspectives of main biomass sources’ development are assessed for compliance with the EU latest regulations, recommendations and policies, particularly Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) 2014-2020, and they demonstrate [reveal?] several limitations. The restrictions under the CAP regulations’ so-called ‘greening’ requirements mainly affect the production of energy crops, limiting monocultures’ growing. For some types of biomass production (e.g. energy cultures, wood biomass), several limitations or restrictions are considered, in particular, those related to environmental issues such as biodiversity, soil properties, agro-ecosystems and landscape. Forest origin, non-food plants (e.g. perennial grasses) and different kind of residues and waste could be the most important, perspective and sustainable biomass sources in Latvia. Besides, the dominance of a single bioenergy source would be unsustainable in the long run, and diversifying of the energy system is preferred.</span></p>

Plant biology: Seeing the wood and the trees.

The identification of the gene regulatory network that controls the formation of xylem — the major component of wood — opens up new avenues for manipulating plant biomass. See Article p.571 The plant cell wall determines cell shape and mediates communication with the cellular environment. But it is the secondary cell wall — deposited in various cell types including xylem — that is the main source of biomass used for biofuels and in the pulp and paper industry. The full complement of transcriptional regulators that affect biosynthesis of secondary cell wall remains largely undetermined. Siobhan Brady and colleagues describe a gene regulatory network involving hundreds of transcription factors that controls the formation of xylem in the plant Arabidopsis through protein–DNA interactions. Gene expression is regulated by a series of feed-forward loops to ensure that secondary cell wall is deposited at the right time and in the right place. The authors use their gene regulatory network to develop new hypotheses about the effect of abiotic stress, such as salinity and iron deprivation, on secondary cell wall gene regulation, and to validate these hypotheses.

Sargassum wightii, a marine alga is the source for the production of algal oil, bio-oil, and application in the dye wastewater treatment

The utilization of algal biomass is a field that is fast reaching the lime light as their overflowing potentials are just being realized. The marine macroalga, Sargassum wightii, known for its photosynthetically efficient nature, has been considered as the main source of biomass. In this research, the algal biomass has been utilized for three different purposes (i) production of algal oil, (ii) production of bio-oil, and (iii) the oil-free algal biomass was used as a biosorbent in the treatment of dye wastewater. Optimal conditions of the influencing parameters such as the solvent systems, pre-treatment methods, optimum temperature, and time of exposure for the production of algal oil and bio-oil were studied. Once the oil extraction was completed, the remaining algal biomass acts as a solid waste. This waste was utilized as an effective biosorbent for the removal of methylene blue (MB) dye from the aqueous solution. The effect of operating parameters such as solution pH, biosorbent dose, initial dye concentration, time, and temperature on the removal of MB dye from the aqueous solution has been investigated. Biosorption kinetics, mechanism, isotherm, and thermodynamics of dye removal by the algal biomass were studied. Freundlich and pseudo-second-order models provide the best fit to the biosorption equilibrium and kinetic data, respectively. Biosorption of dye molecules onto the biomass was controlled by both particle and film diffusion. The thermodynamic study showed that the biosorption process was found to be an exothermic and spontaneous in nature.

Biobutanol as a Potential Sustainable Biofuel - Assessment of Lignocellulosic and Waste-based Feedstocks

This paper introduces the production process of an alternative transportation biofuel, biobutanol. European legislation concerning biofuels and their sustainability criteria are also briefly described. The need to develop methods to ensure more sustainable and efficient biofuel production processes is recommended. In addition, the assessment method to evaluate the sustainability of biofuels is considered and sustainability assessment of selected feedstocks for biobutanol production is performed. The benefits and potential of using lignocellulosic and waste materials as feedstocks in the biobutanol production process are also discussed. Sustainability assessment in this paper includes cultivation, harvest/collection and upstream processing (pretreatment) of feedstocks, comparing four main biomass sources: food crops, non-food crops, food industry by-product and wood-based biomass. It can be concluded that the highest sustainable potential in Finland is when biobutanol production is integrated into pulp & paper mills.

Rapidly growing tropical trees mobilize remarkable amounts of nitrogen, in ways that differ surprisingly among species

Fast-growing forests such as tropical secondary forests can accumulate large amounts of carbon (C), and thereby play an important role in the atmospheric CO(2) balance. Because nitrogen (N) cycling is inextricably linked with C cycling, the question becomes: Where does the N come from to match high rates of C accumulation? In unique experimental 16-y-old plantations established in abandoned pasture in lowland Costa Rica, we used a mass-balance approach to quantify N accumulation in vegetation, identify sources of N, and evaluate differences among tree species in N cycling. The replicated design contained four broad-leaved evergreen tree species growing under similar environmental conditions. Nitrogen uptake was rapid, reaching 409 (± 30) kg · ha(-1) · y(-1), double the rate reported from a Puerto Rican forest and greater than four times that observed at Hubbard Brook Forest (New Hampshire, USA). Nitrogen amassed in vegetation was 874 (± 176) kg · ha(-1), whereas net losses of soil N (0-100 cm) varied from 217 (±146) to 3,354 (± 915) kg · ha(-1) (P = 0.018) over 16 y. Soil C:N, δ(13)C values, and N budgets indicated that soil was the main source of biomass N. In Vochysia guatemalensis, however, N fixation contributed >60 kg · ha(-1) · y(-1). All species apparently promoted soil N turnover, such that the soil N mean residence time was 32-54 y, an order of magnitude lower than the global mean. High rates of N uptake were associated with substantial N losses in three of the species, in which an average of 1.6 g N was lost for every gram of N accumulated in biomass.

MRNA sequencing of Eucalyptus urograndistrees supplemented with flavonoids shows changes on metabolic process and decrease of lignification

Background The flavonoids, naringenin-chalcone and narigenin, are intermediates in phenylpropanoid metabolism in plants, occupying the central position as primary intermediates in flavonoid biosynthesis and are synthesized by chalcone synthase (CHS) and chalcone isomerase (CHI) respectively.[1] It has been reported that supplementation of narigenin-chalcone and narigenin can inhibit the activity of 4CL in vitro, and suppress the growth and reduce lignin content in gramineous plants, while 4CL suppression affected plant phenotype and resulted on dwarfed trees on Pinus[2], and its down-regulation promoted enhanced growth phenotypes on transgenic aspens trees [3], also CHS expression controls flavonoid synthesis and reduced size phenotype on arabidopsis. [4] Eucalyptus is the main source of biomass for pulp and paper industries therefore it’s imperative to study the influence of flavonoid supplementation on Eucalyptus and what kind of overall impact it can have on plant development, especially wood formation and gene expression.

Effect of Wood Type and Carburetor on the Performance of Producer Gas-Biodiesel Operated Dual Fuel Engines

Modern compression ignition engines combine excellent fuel efficiency with high power output, and have the ability to use high quality renewable fuels, which can be produced efficiently from biomass. With regards to the progressively stringent emission legislation in the automotive sector and the need to reduce greenhouse gas emissions over the coming decades, this research work is directed at developing diesel engine-gasifier integrated systems to operate on renewable fuels. In the present work, to make the diesel engine completely independent of fossil fuel, the diesel fuel was replaced by Honge oil methyl ester and producer gas. The non edible fuel mainly consists of biodiesel derived from Honge oil called Honge oil Methyl Ester [HOME]. The main biomass sources for producer gas generation are obtained from both ordinary and Honge wood. The proposed work therefore involves development of a system completely independent of diesel fuel with biodiesel derived from non-edible oil i.e., Honge oil and producer gas operation. In the study different carburetors were designed and developed to check the suitability of the producer gas and air mixing. Carburetors of Y- shaped, basic and parallel gas entry were considered for the study. The parallel flow carburetor operated biodiesel-gasifier dual fuel engine results in better performance compared to Y-shaped and basic carburetor system. The parallel carburetor ensures stoichiometric air and producer gas mixing compared to Y-shaped carburetor. Honge wood results in poor performance than the babul wood because of its lower density, higher moisture content and lower calorific value resulting in poorer quality of the gas.

In this issue

AbstractBiological waste for solid‐state fermentationRodríguez Couto, Biotechnol. J. 2008, 3, 859–870.Biological waste contains several reusable substances of high value such as soluble sugars and fibres. Direct disposal of such waste to soil or landfill causes serious environmental problems. Thus, the development of potential value‐added processes for waste is highly attractive. Biological wastes can be used as support‐substrates in solid‐state fermentation (SSF) to produce industrially relevant metabolites with great economical advantage. In addition, it is an environment friendly method of waste management. This paper from Spain reviews the reutilization of biological wastes for the production of value‐added products using the SSF technique.Mining marine shellfish wastes for bioactive moleculesHayes et al., Biotechnol. J. 2008, 3, 871–889.Legal restrictions, high costs and environmental problems regarding the disposal of marine processing wastes have led to amplified interest in biotechnology research concerning the identification and extraction of additional high grade, lowvolume by‐products produced from shellfish waste treatments. Shellfish waste consisting of crustacean exoskeletons is currently the main source of biomass for chitin production. Chitins are very versatile biomolecules. Part A of this review aims to consolidate useful information concerning the methods used to extract and characterize chitin, chitosan and glucosamine obtained through industrial, microbial and enzymatic hydrolysis of shellfish waste. In Part B of this review the authors from the Centre of Applied Marine Biotechnology in Ireland relate in more detail some of the bioactivities and applications of chitin and shell waste by‐products.Microbial biocatalyst activityCao‐Hoang et al., Biotechnol. J. 2008, 3, 890–903.Many fluorescent techniques are employed to evaluate the viability and activity of microbial cells used in biotechnology. These techniques are sometimes complex and the interpretation of results opened to misunderstanding. Moreover, new developments are constantly proposed especially concerning a more accurate evaluation of the state of the cells, including eukaryotic microorganisms. In this paper, researchers from France and Vietnam aim at presenting to biotechnologists unfamiliar with fluorescence the principles of these methods and the related possible pitfalls. It focuses on probes of the physical (integrity and fluidity) and energetical (intracellular pH and membrane potential) state of the cell membrane (bacterial and yeast cells) and presents also other probes (nucleic acids, respiration...) and new technical trends.

Mining marine shellfish wastes for bioactive molecules: Chitin and chitosan ndash; Part A: extraction methods

Legal restrictions, high costs and environmental problems regarding the disposal of marine processing wastes have led to amplified interest in biotechnology research concerning the identification and extraction of additional high grade, low-volume by-products produced from shellfish waste treatments. Shellfish waste consisting of crustacean exoskeletons is currently the main source of biomass for chitin production. Chitin is a polysaccharide composed of N-acetyl-D-glucosamine units and the multidimensional utilization of chitin derivatives including chitosan, a deacetylated derivative of chitin, is due to a number of characteristics including: their polyelectrolyte and cationic nature, the presence of reactive groups, high adsorption capacities, bacteriostatic and fungistatic influences, making them very versatile biomolecules. Part A of this review aims to consolidate useful information concerning the methods used to extract and characterize chitin, chitosan and glucosamine obtained through industrial, microbial and enzymatic hydrolysis of shellfish waste.

Wood fuel use in the traditional cooking stoves in the rural floodplain areas of Bangladesh: A socio-environmental perspective

Abstract A study was conducted, using a multistage simple random sampling design, to determine the structural characteristics of the traditional cooking stoves, amount of wood fuel consumed in the rural floodplain areas in Bangladesh, and also to figure out the socio-economic and environmental consequences of wood fuel usage in the traditional cooking stove. The study showed that family size, income, amount cooked and burning hours significantly affected the amount of wood fuel used per family per year. Taking into account different family sizes, the study observed that 4.24 tonne fuelwood were consumed per family per year. The study showed that 42% of families used only biomass fuel, 5% used liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) and 53% used kerosene along with biomass fuels. The main source of biomass fuel was homestead forests (40%). It has been figured out that the incomplete combustion of biomass in the traditional cooking stove poses severe epidemiological consequences to human health and contributes to global warming. The study also showed that 83% of the respondents would prefer improved cooking stoves over traditional cooking stoves.

The Potential of Biomass Residues in Turkey and Their Importance as Energy Resources

Finding new energy sources is presently on the increase. Researchers are focusing on discovering new economic and renewable energy sources, and they are proving that new kinds of renewable energy resources are becoming more widespread day by day. One of these energy resources is agricultural residue. It includes the biodegradable fraction of products, waste, and residues from agriculture, forestry, and related industries, as well as the biodegradable fraction of industrial and municipal waste. The main biomass sources in use for energy production range from forest residues, agricultural residues, pulp and paper operation residues, animal waste, and landfill gas to energy crops. The biomass energy in these residues can be converted to various useful kinds of energy such as solid, liquid, and gaseous fuels via many different biomass energy conversion systems. These fuels can then be used to provide heat, electricity, and fuels to power vehicles; using burners, boilers, generators, internal combustion engines, turbines, or fuel cells. Agricultural and forest residues are among Turkey's major potential energy resources. Estimates based on available statistical data and the results of the experimental studies suggest that the annual dry agricultural residue potential is about 360 Tg, which is equivalent to 260 Tg of crude-like fuels. The available agricultural residues can provide 467–623 petajoules/year. This is equal to 22–27% of energy consumption in Turkey. In conclusion, use of this agricultural residue potential can significantly reduce Turkey's need to import oil and other fossil fuels and at the same time increase a secure energy supply. In addition to these, it will improve the local environment; planting energy crops on land not required for food production can generate jobs, improve rural economies, and help maintain agriculture and forestry.