Potential For Biofuel Production Research Articles

Enhanced Saccharification Yield of Alkali Pretreated Sugarcane Bagasse Utilizing Customized Cellulase Cocktail from Trichoderma harzianum and Trichoderma viride

The experiment was conducted during 2023 at Bioenergy Laboratory, Department of RBEE, College of Agricultural Engineering and Technology, CCSHAU, Hisar, Haryana, India. Compositional changes in sugarcane bagasse subjected to varying concentrations of sodium hydroxide (0.3% to 1.2%), revealing significant increases in glucan content (from 37.13% to 53.81%) alongside decreases in xylan, acid-insoluble lignin, acid-soluble lignin, ash, and other extractives. These changes were validated using microscopic technique SEM, confirming the efficacy of the pretreatment process. The utilization of a customized cellulase cocktail derived from Trichoderma harzianum and Trichoderma viride holds significant promise in enhancing the saccharification from alkali-pretreated sugarcane bagasse. This study investigates the synergistic effects of cellulase enzymes produced by these fungi on the hydrolysis of lignocellulosic biomass. The enzymatic hydrolysis process is optimized by varying enzyme dosages, reaction conditions, and incubation times to maximize the release of fermentable sugars. Results indicate a substantial improvement in saccharification efficiency with the customized cellulase cocktail, highlighting its potential for sustainable biofuel production. The pretreated sugarcane bagasse, when saccharified with Trichoderma harzianum and Trichoderma viride individually, released 254.43 mg g-1 and 325.53 mg g-1 of reducing sugars, respectively, after 40 h of incubation. In contrast, the combined enzymatic cocktail achieved a substantial increase in glucose yields (345.12 mg g-1) at 40 h, showcasing the synergistic effect of the combined enzymatic activity. This research contributes to advancing bioconversion technologies for utilizing lignocellulosic biomass resources efficiently and economically, thus addressing key challenges in sustainable energy production.

Characterization of Wood, Leaves, Barks, and pod wastes from Prosopis africana biomass for biofuel production

One of the approaches for increasing the contribution of biomass to the renewable energy mix is the valorization of biomass to bioenergy. Evaluating the potential of unconventional biomass sources could significantly accelerate the assessment for suitability as feedstock for bioenergy production as a sustainable solution. The study aimed to characterize the Prosopis africana biomass of wood, barks, leaves, and pods towards providing valuable data for scaling up and incorporating these materials into the bioenergy crop database. Characterizations of wood, leaves, barks, and pod wastes from Prosopis africana biomass were investigated based on the proximate, ultimate, and compositional analysis of pulverized samples of the PA biomass to determine their physical, thermal, and chemical properties towards assessing their potential for valorization to bioenergy. The lignocellulosic materials were characterized by scanning electron microscopy, energy dispersive X-ray, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, thermogravimetric analysis, and X-ray diffraction. The results show that the pulverized sample wastes have porous structures with varying degrees of crystallinity (wood: 89.20 %, bark: 23.90 %, leaves: 32.48 %, pods: 23.08 %), suggesting different susceptibilities to conversion processes. Notably, the wood sample had the lowest moisture content (3.13 %), and the pod sample had the highest volatile matter content (75.83 %), indicating a high potential for biofuel production. The higher heating values (HHV) and lower heating values (LHV) of the samples ranged from 15.23 to 20.49 MJ/kg and 13.83 to 18.79 MJ/kg, respectively. These calorific values are competitive with established lignocellulosic bioenergy feedstocks, positioning PA biomass as promising candidates for solid biofuel applications.

A growth phase analysis on the influence of light intensity on microalgal stress and potential biofuel production

It is urgent to find alternatives to fossil fuels to mitigate the effects of climate change. High light intensity during microalgal growth can promote lipid and carbohydrate accumulation (feedstocks to biofuels). However, more research needs to be done concerning the effect of this factor on microalgal productivity and biochemical composition from a growth phase point of view. This study evaluated the impact of high light intensities (291, 527 and 1107 μmol m−2 s−1) on Chlorella vulgaris growth in synthetic wastewater, nutrient assimilation and biochemical composition in late-exponential and stationary growth phases. Under the highest light intensity, a higher growth rate (0.54 ± 0.02 d−1) and maximum productivity (166 ± 13 mg/L d−1) were achieved. Also, nutrient removal efficiencies at the late-exponential phase reached 97.0 ± 0.2 % and 98.2 ± 0.1 % for nitrogen and phosphorus, respectively. Under all light intensities tested at the stationary phase, microalgae also achieved high nutrient removal efficiencies (>95 %). Extreme light intensity (1107 μmol m−2 s−1) boosted the accumulation of carbohydrates (30 ± 3 % w/w) and lipids (13.0 ± 0.4 % w/w). Under lower light intensities, the content of these compounds did not change significantly between growth phases. The chlorophyll content decreased with the increasing light intensity and increasing exposure time. Exposing C. vulgaris to high light intensity seems promising to simultaneously treat wastewater and boost lipid and carbohydrate accumulation, which can be used for biofuel production.

Green energy breakthroughs: Harnessing nano-catalysts and enzymatic catalysts for bioenergy generation

Microbial fuel cells and anaerobic digestion are promising bioenergy methods but inefficient and scalable. With its exceptional surface area-to-volume ratio, nano-catalysts are revolutionizing this field. Researchers have improved energy conversion efficiency by immobilizing or embedding nanoparticles on electrodes or catalytic supports to promote electron transport. Nanomaterials like graphene-based catalysts and metal nanoparticles speed up organic matter breakdown and make bioenergy systems more profitable. Researchers are working harder to find new bioenergy-generating methods to address environmental concerns and the demand for sustainable energy. The study discusses how nano-catalysts and enzymatic catalysts are revolutionizing bioenergy production in green energy. Additionally, enzymatic catalysts are the best bioenergy catalysts. Highly specialized, biocompatible, and renewable enzymes provide unrivaled biofuel production potential. Protein engineering and immobilization have improved enzymes for bioenergy systems. Enzymatic catalysts enable biofuel generation from more feedstocks without harsh chemical procedures by controlling biological reactions quickly and precisely. Combining nano- and enzymatic catalysts is promising. Nano-catalysts improve enzymatic processes by creating a favorable microenvironment, enhancing surface binding sites, and enabling substrate transport. This combination may maximize bioenergy systems' biofuel output and wastewater treatment capabilities. According to this study, integrating nano- and enzymatic catalysts is a green energy breakthrough. These advances will improve bioenergy generation by overcoming current techniques, opening new sustainable energy production prospects, and expediting our transition to a greener, more sustainable future.

Enhancing enzymatic saccharification yields of cellulose at high solid loadings by combining different LPMO activities

BackgroundThe polysaccharides in lignocellulosic biomass hold potential for production of biofuels and biochemicals. However, achieving efficient conversion of this resource into fermentable sugars faces challenges, especially when operating at industrially relevant high solid loadings. While it is clear that combining classical hydrolytic enzymes and lytic polysaccharide monooxygenases (LPMOs) is necessary to achieve high saccharification yields, exactly how these enzymes synergize at high solid loadings remains unclear.ResultsAn LPMO-poor cellulase cocktail, Celluclast 1.5 L, was spiked with one or both of two fungal LPMOs from Thermothielavioides terrestris and Thermoascus aurantiacus, TtAA9E and TaAA9A, respectively, to assess their impact on cellulose saccharification efficiency at high dry matter loading, using Avicel and steam-exploded wheat straw as substrates. The results demonstrate that LPMOs can mitigate the reduction in saccharification efficiency associated with high dry matter contents. The positive effect of LPMO inclusion depends on the type of feedstock and the type of LPMO and increases with the increasing dry matter content and reaction time. Furthermore, our results show that chelating free copper, which may leak out of the active site of inactivated LPMOs during saccharification, with EDTA prevents side reactions with in situ generated H2O2 and the reductant (ascorbic acid).ConclusionsThis study shows that sustaining LPMO activity is vital for efficient cellulose solubilization at high substrate loadings. LPMO cleavage of cellulose at high dry matter loadings results in new chain ends and thus increased water accessibility leading to decrystallization of the substrate, all factors making the substrate more accessible to cellulase action. Additionally, this work highlights the importance of preventing LPMO inactivation and its potential detrimental impact on all enzymes in the reaction.

Economics of sustainable lignocellulose biomass and biofuel logistics in Malaysia

Lignocellulose biomass is an inedible and renewable resource that can be used to produce biofuels sustainably and thus help to mitigate climate change while helping to ensure energy security. Tropical countries like Malaysia are assumed to have abundant biomass resources, but the fragmented farming landscapes common in Southeast Asia raise challenges for biofuel production, which largely stem from logistics operations and have an adverse impact on economies of scale and the viability of biorefineries. This thesis seeks to understand the costs and supplies associated with biomass transport, assess the impacts of landscape fragmentation on biorefineries, and identify optimum biorefinery locations. Ten sources of biomass (agroforestry residues from fields, sawmills, and processing plants) were considered, taking into account various logistical factors, supply scenarios, and impacts of landscape fragmentation. The study began with a simulation of biomass transport across Peninsular Malaysia, using GRASS GIS software to estimate costs and supplies. Eighty-nine points within each district were designated as potential locations. Biomass transport was recorded as a major cost component in operational expenditures. The capital expenditures for various conversion pathways and biorefinery operations were estimated across relevant orders of magnitude, with the biofuel supplies also being simulated. The study identified four optimum locations for various types of biomass, presenting detailed cost and supply structures. The two most competitive biomass types are rice straw and pressed palm fibre (PPF). Costs ranged a) from 130.6 to 206.3 USD/tonne, yielding 0.47 to 0.97 million tonnes of PPF fermented biofuel per year, and b) 123.2 to 207.8 USD/tonne for rice straw, yielding 0.49 to 0.56 million tonnes of fermented biofuel per year. In tonnes of oil equivalent (toe), both together amounted to 5–7% of Malaysia’s annual petroleum consumption. Surprisingly, the findings suggest that an abundance of biomass does not necessarily result in lower biofuel costs, because factors such as spatial fragmentation and moisture content amplify transport costs. Our analysis emphasises the need for strategic planning, including the use of larger trucks, early moisture removal, and the establishment of local consolidation centres to manage biomass effectively. It highlights the need for a more holistic and strategic approach in order to understand supply zone specifics with a view to unlocking Malaysia’s potential for sustainable biofuel production.

Optimizing Enzymatic Hydrolysis Pathways: A Comprehensive Study on Enhancing Cellulose Bioconversion Efficiency for Industrial Applications

Abstract: This research paper presents a comprehensive investigation into optimizing enzymatic hydrolysis pathways for cellulose bioconversion, with a focus on enhancing efficiency for industrial applications. Cellulose, a major component of plant biomass, is a sustainable feedstock with immense potential for biofuel and biochemical production. However, its recalcitrant nature poses challenges in terms of effective conversion. The study addresses this challenge by delving into the intricate details of enzymatic hydrolysis, aiming to unlock the full potential of cellulose-derived products. The research employs advanced enzymatic technologies, exploring novel enzymes and enzyme cocktails to enhance cellulose breakdown. By systematically analyzing the enzymatic hydrolysis pathways, the study seeks to identify key factors influencing efficiency and propose targeted optimization strategies. Experimental validations and data-driven insights contribute to a nuanced understanding of cellulose bioconversion mechanisms. Furthermore, the paper emphasizes the industrial applicability of the proposed strategies. It discusses scalability, cost-effectiveness, and feasibility, ensuring that the optimized enzymatic hydrolysis pathways align with the practical demands of large-scale production. The integration of cutting-edge bioprocessing technologies and innovative enzymatic approaches underscores the potential for significant advancements in cellulose bioconversion for industrial settings. This research not only contributes valuable insights to the scientific community but also addresses the pressing need for sustainable and efficient bioconversion strategies, laying the foundation for a more environmentally friendly and economically viable bio-based industry.

Anaerobic digestion of vinasse improves its use as a liquid fertilizer

The global demand for exploiting the potential of renewable biofuel production is increasing. When countries with large agricultural areas produce ethanol, they also generate a harmful byproduct called vinasse. Vinasse is a dark brown effluent that contains a high amount of organic matter, has an acidic nature, and is rich in mineral salts. Managing this effluent poses a challenge due to its significant volume, which ranges from 8 to 20 liters per liter of ethanol produced. Traditionally, raw vinasse has been applied directly to the soil as a liquid fertilizer. However, this practice, without proper guidance, can lead to soil degradation, micronutrient imbalance, pH change and excessive accumulation of organic matter. To resolve these issues and still use vinasse as a fertilizer, the process of anaerobic degradation of vinasse in biodigesters was analyzed. The resulting treated effluent, known as digested vinasse, was then compared to raw vinasse in terms of pollution parameters and the balance of minerals crucial for sugarcane cultivation. The results demonstrated a significant reduction in the organic load of vinasse, with a removal of chemical oxygen demand (COD) ranging from 66% to 85%. After applying the digested vinasse to sugarcane like cultivation soil, a noticeable decrease in the environmental impact caused by excessive organic matter was observed. Additionally, the study found that important nutritional elements such as sodium (Na) did not have any adverse effects or accumulate excessively when compared to calcium (Ca) and magnesium (Mg). In conclusion, the research demonstrates that the anaerobic degradation of vinasse in biodigesters can effectively reduce its organic load and mitigate the environmental impact associated with the direct application of raw vinasse to agricultural soils

Lignocellulolytic Potential of Microbial Consortia Isolated from a Local Biogas Plant: The Case of Thermostable Xylanases Secreted by Mesophilic Bacteria.

Lignocellulose biomasses (LCB), including spent mushroom substrate (SMS), pose environmental challenges if not properly managed. At the same time, these renewable resources hold immense potential for biofuel and chemicals production. With the mushroom market growth expected to amplify SMS quantities, repurposing or disposal strategies are critical. This study explores the use of SMS for cultivating microbial communities to produce carbohydrate-active enzymes (CAZymes). Addressing a research gap in using anaerobic digesters for enriching microbiomes feeding on SMS, this study investigates microbial diversity and secreted CAZymes under varied temperatures (37 °C, 50 °C, and 70 °C) and substrates (SMS as well as pure carboxymethylcellulose, and xylan). Enriched microbiomes demonstrated temperature-dependent preferences for cellulose, hemicellulose, and lignin degradation, supported by thermal and elemental analyses. Enzyme assays confirmed lignocellulolytic enzyme secretion correlating with substrate degradation trends. Notably, thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), coupled with differential scanning calorimetry (TGA-DSC), emerged as a rapid approach for saccharification potential determination of LCB. Microbiomes isolated at mesophilic temperature secreted thermophilic hemicellulases exhibiting robust stability and superior enzymatic activity compared to commercial enzymes, aligning with biorefinery conditions. PCR-DGGE and metagenomic analyses showcased dynamic shifts in microbiome composition and functional potential based on environmental conditions, impacting CAZyme abundance and diversity. The meta-functional analysis emphasised the role of CAZymes in biomass transformation, indicating microbial strategies for lignocellulose degradation. Temperature and substrate specificity influenced the degradative potential, highlighting the complexity of environmental-microbial interactions. This study demonstrates a temperature-driven microbial selection for lignocellulose degradation, unveiling thermophilic xylanases with industrial promise. Insights gained contribute to optimizing enzyme production and formulating efficient biomass conversion strategies. Understanding microbial consortia responses to temperature and substrate variations elucidates bioconversion dynamics, emphasizing tailored strategies for harnessing their biotechnological potential.

Impact of the T296S mutation in P450 GcoA for aryl-O-demethylation: a QM/MM study.

Lignin, a complex plant cell wall component, holds promise as a renewable aromatic carbon feedstock. p-Vanillin is a key product of lignin depolymerization and a precursor of protocatechuic acid (PCA) that has tremendous potential for biofuel production. While the GcoAB enzyme, native to Amycolatopsis sp., naturally catalyzes aryl-O-demethylation toward guaiacol, recent research introduced a single mutation, T296S, into the GcoAP450 enzyme, enabling it to catalyze aryl-O-demethylation of p-vanillin. This structural modification increases the efficiency of GcoAP450 for the natural substrate while being active for p-vanillin. This study reveals the increased flexibility of p-vanillin and its ability to adapt a favorable conformation by aligning the methoxy group in close proximity to Fe(IV) = O of Cpd I in the active site of the T296S variant. The QM/MM calculations in accordance with the experimental data validated that the rate-limiting step for the oxidation of p-vanillin is hydrogen atom abstraction and provided a detailed geometric structure of stationary and saddle points for the oxidation of p-vanillin.

Distribution, screening and biochemical characterization of indigenous microalgae for bio-mass and bio-energy production potential from three districts of Pakistan.

Trend of biofuel production from microalgal triacylglycerols is enhancing, because this substrate is a good sustainable and advantageous alternative to oil and gas fuel. In the present study, indigenous micro algal isolates were screened from water (n=30) and soil (n=30) samples collected from three districts of Punjab, Pakistan to evaluate their biofuel production potential. The samples were inoculated on BG - 11 agar medium plates by incubating at room temperature of 25°C providing 1000 lux for 16h light cycle followed by 8h of dark cycle for 15 d. Water samples were found to be rich in microalgae and 65.33% microalgae (49 isolates) were isolated from Faisalabad district. On the basis of microscopic morphology microalgal isolates (n=180) were selected and subjected to lipid detection by Nile red staining assay. Nile red positive isolates (n=23) were processed for biochemical (lipid, protein and carbohydrates) characterization. AIN63 isolate showed higher lipids (17.4%) content as detected by micro vanillin assay. Algal isolate AIN128 showed best protein contents (42.91%) detected by Bradford assay and AIN172 isolate showed higher carbohydrate contents (73.83%) as detected by anthrone assay. The selected algal isolates were also analyzed by Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy for confirmation of carbohydrate, protein and lipid analysis. These indigenous algae have the potential for in-vitro biofuel production from agricultural waste.

A Sustainable Microalgae-Mediated Molybdenum(V) Bioremediation: Effective Removal and Biofuel Production Potential

BackgroundWith growing global pollution concerns, the environmental hazards posed by molybdenum (Ⅴ) discharge >10 ppm, especially from steel and semiconductor industries have escalated environmental risks. Unfortunately, sustainable methods for Mo(V) removal are limited. This study presents an environmentally friendly solution utilizing microalgae for effective Mo(V) treatment. Notably. the generated microalgal biomass serves the dual purpose of addressing molybdenum pollution and contributing to biofuel production, offering economic incentives. MethodsSelected microalgae Chlorella sorokiniana SU1 were used for treating Mo(V). The goal is to maximize Mo(V) removal over 18 days, ensuring sufficient biomass and lipid yields. Optimizing pH and temperature, directed by zeta potential analysis, improves Mo(V) removal efficiency. FTIR analysis validates Mo(V) adsorption through the reactive groups on the algal cell wall. Significant findingsChlorella sorokiniana SU1 is a highly effective agent for Mo(V) removal, achieving an impressive removal rate of 82.78 mgL−1. Additionally, the resultant treatment demonstrates noteworthy microalgal biomass and lipid yields of 2.35 and 0.71 g L−1, respectively. The tactical pH and temperature optimization further augments the molybdenum removal efficiency. This innovative study addresses molybdenum pollution and also gives a sustainable route for biofuel production through generated microalgal biomass, establishing a promising technique for commercial-scale molybdenum bioremediation.

Engineered acetogenic bacteria as microbial cell factory for diversified biochemicals.

Acetogenic bacteria (acetogens) are a class of microorganisms with conserved Wood-Ljungdahl pathway that can utilize CO and CO2/H2 as carbon source for autotrophic growth and convert these substrates to acetate and ethanol. Acetogens have great potential for the sustainable production of biofuels and bulk biochemicals using C1 gases (CO and CO2) from industrial syngas and waste gases, which play an important role in achieving carbon neutrality. In recent years, with the development and improvement of gene editing methods, the metabolic engineering of acetogens is making rapid progress. With introduction of heterogeneous metabolic pathways, acetogens can improve the production capacity of native products or obtain the ability to synthesize non-native products. This paper reviews the recent application of metabolic engineering in acetogens. In addition, the challenges of metabolic engineering in acetogens are indicated, and strategies to address these challenges are also discussed.

Life‐cycle analysis of sustainable aviation fuel production through catalytic hydrothermolysis

AbstractCatalytic hydrothermolysis (CH) is a sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) pathway that has been recently approved for use in aircraft fuel production. In alignment with broader sustainable aviation goals, SAF production through CH requires a quantitative assessment of carbon intensity (CI) impacts. In this study, a current‐day life‐cycle analysis (LCA) was performed on SAF produced via CH to determine the CI. Various oily feedstocks were considered, including vegetable oils (soybean, carinata, camelina and canola) and low‐burden oils and greases (corn oil, yellow grease and brown grease). Life‐cycle inventory data were collected on all processes within the CH LCA boundary: feedstock cultivation and/or collection, preprocessing, hydrothermal cleanup and CH, biocrude refining, fuel transportation and end use through combustion. Baseline results show that the CH‐produced SAF can be generated with CI reductions ranging from 48 to 82% compared with conventional jet fuel. Modest improvements to CI can be achieved through incremental changes to the brown grease CH process, such as relaxing the dewatering specification and implementing renewable natural gas and electricity, which could decrease the CI from 22.9 to 7.9 g CO2e/MJ. Total CH fuel production potential was also assessed on the basis of current or near‐future feedstock availability and CI. The total biofuel production potential of CH (SAF and renewable fuel co‐products) in the US sums to approximately 3487 million gallons per year, with 97% of these volumes having a CI below 50% of that for petroleum jet fuel. The study shows that from an LCA perspective, CH offers a viable SAF pathway that is comparable with existing SAF pathways like hydroprocessed esters and fatty acids.

Heterologously Expressed Cellobiose Dehydrogenase Acts as Efficient Electron-Donor of Lytic Polysaccharide Monooxygenase for Cellulose Degradation in Trichoderma reesei.

The conversion of lignocellulosic biomass to second-generation biofuels through enzymes is achieved at a high cost. Filamentous fungi through a combination of oxidative enzymes can easily disintegrate the glycosidic bonds of cellulose. The combination of cellobiose dehydrogenase (CDH) with lytic polysaccharide monooxygenases (LPMOs) enhances cellulose degradation in many folds. CDH increases cellulose deconstruction via coupling the oxidation of cellobiose to the reductive activation of LPMOs by catalyzing the addition of oxygen to C-H bonds of the glycosidic linkages. Fungal LPMOs show different regio-selectivity (C1 or C4) and result in oxidized products through modifications at reducing as well as nonreducing ends of the respective glucan chain. T. reesei LPMOs have shown great potential for oxidative cleavage of cellobiose at C1 and C4 glucan bonds, therefore, the incorporation of heterologous CDH further increases its potential for biofuel production for industrial purposes at a reduced cost. We introduced CDH of Phanerochaete chrysosporium (PcCDH) in Trichoderma reesei (which originally lacked CDH). We purified CDH through affinity chromatography and analyzed its enzymatic activity, electron-donating ability to LPMO, and the synergistic effect of LPMO and CDH on cellulose deconstruction. The optimum temperature of the recombinant PcCDH was found to be 45 °C and the optimum pH of PcCDH was observed as 4.5. PcCDH has high cello-oligosaccharide kcat, Km, and kcat/Km values. The synergistic effect of LPMO and cellulase significantly improved the degradation efficiency of phosphoric acid swollen cellulose (PASC) when CDH was used as the electron donor. We also found that LPMO undergoes auto-oxidative inactivation, and when PcCDH is used an electron donor has the function of a C1-type LPMO electron donor without additional substrate increments. This work provides novel insights into finding stable electron donors for LPMOs and paves the way forward in discovering efficient CDHs for enhanced cellulose degradation.

Leveraging industrial biorefineries for the energy transition

Biorefineries hold the potential to provide products and energy carriers at reduced environmental impact compared to their fossil-based counterparts. Thus, they can contribute to the decarbonization of sectors in which electrification of demands is challenging, such as freight transportation or aviation. Furthermore, operating biorefineries in line with renewable electricity availability can help to balance mismatches between electricity availability and demand. This paper investigates the potential of industrial biorefineries to assist the energy transition by providing fossil fuel alternatives and balancing opportunities for the electricity grid. At the example of a Kraft pulp mill, biofuel production potential is explored in consideration of power-to-X technologies. Furthermore, emission reduction and resource efficiency increase by means of carbon capture, utilization and storage applications are investigated.Results reveal that the mill’s carbon efficiency can be increased from 50% to 90%, profiting from carbon capture, utilization and storage. Proposed mill configurations provide energy mixes with environmental impact factors well below the average of comparable conventional products. Furthermore, significant shares of energy from imported electricity can be stored over the course of one year, and provided either in form of electricity or biofuels. The profitability and emission mitigation potential of the analyzed system are highly dependent on the available electricity mix and the respective market portfolio. Therefore, future work requires a detailed analysis of the mill’s environment in order to identify relevant investment decisions for the provision of low-impact heat, fuels, and storage opportunities for renewable electricity.

Automated quantification of lipid contents of Lipomyces starkeyi using deep-learning-based image segmentation

Intracellular lipid droplets (LDs), subcellular organelles playing a role in long-term carbon storage, have immense potential in biofuel and dietary lipid production. Monitoring the state of LDs in living cells is of utmost importance for quick biomass harvest and screening promising isolates. Here, a deep-learning-based segmentation model was developed for automatic detection and segmentation of LDs using the model yeast species Lipomyces starkeyi, leading to fast and accurate quantification of lipid contents in liquid cultures. The trained model detected the yeast's cell and LDs in light microscopic images with an accuracy of 98% and 92%, respectively. Lipid content prediction using pixel numbers counted in segmented LDs showed high similarity to lipid quantification results obtained with gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. This automated quantification can highly reduce cost and time in real-time monitoring of lipid production, thereby providing an efficient tool in bio-fermentation.

Eco-friendly strategy for the joint valorization of invasive macroalgae and fast-growing wood to produce advanced biofuels

A novel sustainable scheme to jointly valorize Sargassum muticum (Sm) and Paulownia wood (PW) was proposed in this work, employing the advanced environmentally friendly microwave-assisted autohydrolysis (MA) as pretreatment. Sm is an invasive macroalga that has been drastically spread in the Atlantic coast of Europe, causing environmental damage. Conversely, Paulownia elongata x fortunei is a fast-growing biomass with a high biomass production and potential for biofuels production. Thus, the concomitant valorization of both biomasses may lead to benefits related to environmental protection and bioeconomy. A sequential approach was proposed: first stage of glucose production from Sm (treated by MA and enzymatic hydrolysis to obtain a glucose-rich liquor), and second stage with MA-pretreated PW followed by saccharification and fermentation, employing in this process the glucose rich solution obtained from algae, to obtain simultaneously second and third generation bioethanol. These approaches enabled to add the ethanol production from both biomasses, leading to up to 45.2 g ethanol/L (70% ethanol yield), boosting ethanol titers compared to using only one biomass (up to 27.8 g/L) and confirming the benefits of combining MA-processed biomass. Furthermore, up to 87% of the energy may be recovered, reflecting a suitable approach within an integrated strategy.

Exploring the Potential of Biomass Pyrolysis for Renewable and Sustainable Energy Production: A Comparative Study of Corn Cob, Vine Rod, and Sunflower

The paper investigates the potential of biomass pyrolysis as a sustainable and renewable energy solution. The study focuses on three biomass types: corn cob, vine rod, and sunflower, which are abundant agricultural residues with potential for biofuel production. The pyrolytic gas, oil, and char produced during pyrolysis at a heating rate of 10 °C/min were analyzed. At the pyrolysis temperature of 500 °C, the corn cob showed the smallest final residual mass of 24%, while the vine rod exhibited the largest mass loss of 40%. Gas analysis revealed the concentrations of CO2, CO, H2, and CH4 in the pyrolytic gas, indicating its energy potential. Sunflower presented the largest calorific value of the produced biogas, while corn cob was the lowest. The chemical composition of the bio-oils was determined, with aliphatic acids identified as the dominant compounds, suggesting their potential for biodiesel production. Fourier Transform–Infrared Spectroscopy (FT-IR) analysis of raw biomass and char products demonstrated varying extents of decomposition among the biomass samples. A multicriteria assessment approach was employed to evaluate the differences between the selected three biomass feedstock and determined that sunflower biomass ranked the highest among the three, although the overall difference was small, confirming the suitability of all three biomass samples for pyrolysis conversion to higher-value-added fuels.

Non-Conventional Oilseeds: Unlocking the Global Potential for Sustainable Biofuel Production

Renewable energy sources have become an urgent worldwide concern due to the impacts of global warming. Globally, biofuels can significantly reduce greenhouse gas emissions, which are major contributors to global warming. The use of biofuels has the potential to transform the energy landscape while mitigating the adverse effects of traditional fossil fuels. This study examines the water features, biochemical compositions, and fatty acid profiles among various plant species. The results reveal significant variations in water features as a consequence of the relative water content and water potential of each seed. Also, we note that some non-edible species like A. blanchetii, C. procera, E. oleracea, P. juliflora, M. oleifera, and J. curcas have good attributes that confer a biofuel-like species. These attributes are high in oil content and have a good profile content of long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids (LC-PUFAs), ranging from 35% to 80% among the different oilseeds. Fatty acid profiling reveals distinct compositions among the plant species. Stearic acid (C18:0), oleic acid (C18:1), and linoleic acid (C18:2) were the principal oils in A. blanchetii, J. curcas, P. juliflora, M. oleifera, and S. tuberosa compared to other species. M. oleifera stands out with a high linoleic acid (C18:1) content, while C. maxima, J. curcas, and P. juliflora are even higher (C18:2). A principal component analysis (PCA) and Pearson correlations analysis also confirmed that alternative oilseeds exhibited similarities to standard oilseeds and have the potential to replace them for biofuel production. These findings demonstrate the potential of non-conventional oilseeds for sustainable biofuel production. By unlocking their global potential, we can advance towards mitigating environmental impacts and fostering a sustainable biofuel industry.