Potential For Biofuel Production Research Articles

Enhancement of non-oleaginous green microalgae Ulothrix for bio-fixing CO2 and producing biofuels by ARTP mutagenesis.

Oleaginous green microalgae are often mentioned in algae-based biodiesel industry, but most of them belong to specific genus (Chlorella, Scenedesmus, Botryococcus and Desmodesmus). Thus, the microalgal germplasm resources for biodiesel production are limited. Mutagenesis is regarded as an important technology for expanding germplasm resources. The main purpose of this study is to screen microalgae strains with high carbon dioxide tolerance and high lipid content from mutants derived from indigenous non-oleaginous green microalgae species-Ulothrix SDJZ-17. Two mutants with high CO2 tolerance and high lipid content genetic stability were obtained from the mutants by high-throughput screening, named Ulothrix SDJZ-17-A20 and Ulothrix SDJZ-17-A23. In order to evaluate the potential of CO2 fixation and biofuel production, A20 and A23 were cultured under air and 15% CO2 (v/v) conditions, and their wild-type strains (WT) were used as controls. Under the condition of high CO2 concentration, the growth performance and lipid production capacity of mutant strains A20 and A23 were not only significantly better than those of wild strains, but also better than those of their own cultured under air conditions. Among them, A23 obtained the highest LCE (light conversion efficiency) (14.79%), Fv/Fm (maximal photochemical efficiency of photosystem II) (71.04%) and biomass productivity (81.26mgL-1d-1), while A20 obtained the highest lipid content (22.45%). Both mutants can be used as candidate strains for CO2 fixation and biofuel production. By ARTP (atmospheric and room temperature plasma) mutagenesis with high-throughput screening, the mutants with higher CO2 tolerance, photosynthetic efficiency and lipid productivity can be obtained, even if they are derived from non-oleaginous microalgae, which is of great significance for enriching the energy microalgae germplasm bank, alleviating the global warming and energy crisis.

Influence of multi-stress factors on the growth of Chlorella pyrenoidosa and Scenedesmus abundans using response surface methodology.

This study evaluated the biofuel production potential of two algal species, Chlorella pyrenoidosa and Scenedesmus abundans, under stress conditions induced by nutrient supplementation or starvation at varying light intensities. Central composite face-centered design response surface methodology (CCFD-RSM) was employed to optimize stress conditions by varying the sodium nitrate (NaNO3), potassium dihydrogen phosphate (KH2PO4), dipotassium hydrogen phosphate (K2HPO4), cultivation time, and light intensity. The study included both C. pyrenoidosa and S. abundans, which presented increased biomass yields when subjected to nutrient starvation. Under the optimized conditions, the dry biomass yield was 98.26mg/L for C. pyrenoidosa and 110mg/L for S. abundans. Lipid yields were approximately 22.47% for C. pyrenoidosa and 29.06% for S. abundans under these optimized growth conditions. The optimized parameters for maximum biomass and lipid production were identified as C. pyrenoidosa, and the optimized conditions required 0.805g/L NaNO3, 0.052g/L K2HPO4, 0.099g/L KH2PO4, 17days of culture, and 5168.39lx of light intensity. For S. abundans, the optimal conditions were 1.065g/L NaNO3, 0.071g/L K2HPO4, 0.058g/L KH2PO4, 22days of cultivation, and 2897lx of light intensity. Overall, both C. pyrenoidosa and S. abundans have emerged as promising candidates for sustainable biodiesel production, highlighting their potential under stress conditions induced by nutrient modulation and variable light intensities.

A GIS-based assessment of the carbon emission reduction potential of the solar-enhanced char-cycling biomass pyrolysis process in China

Bioenergy and solar energy are the two widely used renewable energies, which have great potential to satisfy the global energy demand. Solar enhanced char-cycling biomass pyrolysis (SCCP) was proposed to integrate bioenergy and solar energy, could be used to make bioenergy fully carbon-negative. A geographical information system (GIS) based method was used to assess the GHG reduction potential and biofuel production potential of SCCP in China. Existing datasets were used to obtain geographical potential and biomass resource amount. Process simulation was conducted to obtain the technical data. The geographical potential results showed that with a DNI (direct normal irradiance) threshold of 1400 kWh/m2, the national suitable area for SCCP plant construction was 3.25 % of the total national area, the total convertible biofuel potential ranges from 1.86E+06 to 1.94E+06 GWh with different concentrating solar technologies. When considering biochar sequestration, the GHG emission reduction potential increased further, the total GHG emission reduction potential increased from 13.97 Mt CO2 eq to 15.42 Mt CO2 eq. Notably, Yunnan has the highest GHG emission reduction potential per unit of energy when running the pyrolysis process with solar energy, which was −8.58 g CO2 eq/kWh. The results revealed that the SCCP process could further decarbonize biofuel production in China.

Bio-Conversion Of Plastic Waste Into Sustainable Biofuels: A Comprehensive Review Of Microbial Degradation Approaches

Plastic's pervasive presence in contemporary society has revolutionized industries and daily life but has concurrently birthed environmental concerns necessitating innovative and sustainable solutions. This review navigates recent strides in plastic-to-fuel conversion, with a particular focus on the transformative potential of microbial degradation. Beginning with a critical assessment of environmental challenges linked to conventional plastic disposal, this review meticulously dissects microbial degradation. Unveiling the intricate processes orchestrated by bacteria and fungi, it delves into the unique advantages this method offers, including reduced land dependency, cost efficiency, and minimal environmental impact, setting it apart from traditional approaches like pyrolysis and gasification. Navigating challenges inherent in plastic-to-fuel conversion, such as energy consumption and emissions, this review synthesizes the latest research, technological breakthroughs, and ongoing initiatives. It culminates in a comprehensive overview of microbial degradation's potential for sustainable plastic waste management and biofuel production. As a synthesis of cutting-edge knowledge, this review not onlyq1 informs current scientific discourse but also charts course for future research, policy, and industrial practices, steering towards a harmonious equilibrium between the benefits of plastic and environmental considerations. This work serves as a beacon for those dedicated to fostering a sustainable future through a nuanced understanding of plastic waste management, environmental sustainability, and the evolving landscape of biofuel production.

Biofuel Production Potential for Different Waste Streams as a Form of Waste to Energy Through Hydrothermal Liquefaction: Present State of the Art Review and Future

Biofuel Production Potential for Different Waste Streams as a Form of Waste to Energy Through Hydrothermal Liquefaction: Present State of the Art Review and Future

Utilizing cocoa bean husk residues from supercritical extraction for biofuel production through hydrothermal liquefaction

This study aimed to develop an efficient method for converting residual biomass into biofuel through a process that combines supercritical fluid extraction and hydrothermal liquefaction. The study analyzed the compositional changes in the biomass residues using various co-solvents and assessed their potential for biofuel production. After hydrothermal liquefaction, the liquid biofuel produced showed a decrease in the H to C ratio from 1.7 to 1.6 and a reduction in the O to C ratio from 0.5 to 0.2, compared to the unprocessed feedstock, indicating a favorable alteration in elemental composition for biofuel production. Notably, residues extracted with supercritical CO2 and ethanol had the lowest yield, while those extracted with CO2 and water achieved the highest energy recovery at 101.5%. These findings suggest that integrating supercritical fluid extraction with hydrothermal liquefaction is an environmentally sustainable and efficient approach, significantly advancing the development of sustainable biofuels.

The name for a well-known crop: Rumex kioviensis, a hybridogenous taxon derived from R. patientia × R. tianschanicus (Polygonaceae)

The new crops developed at the M.M. Gryshko National Botanical Garden of the National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine in Kyiv from the initial artificial interspecific crosses Rumex patientia × R. tianschanicus are variously known in botanical and agricultural literature under the hybrid formula or informal names “Shchavnat”, “Hybrid Dock”, “Rumex K-1”, “Rumex OK-2”, or names of cultivars cv. ‘Kyivskyi Ultra’, cv. ‘Shpinat Uteusha’, cv. ‘Nastavnyk’, etc. A brief overview of the history of development of these cultivars is provided. These robust perennial plants are cultivated at present as spinach greens, fodder, and high-yield biomass producers for bioenergy applications in several European and other countries (Ukraine, the Czech Republic, Slovakia, Germany, Romania, etc.). Numerous agricultural, horticultural, and biotechnological publications about these new crops are now available, including various aspects of and data on their biochemistry, physiology, genetics, morphology, propagation, agrotechniques, biomass and biofuel production potential, nutritional value, etc. Also, these hybrid cultivars were reported in several regions of Central Europe as potentially invasive weeds escaped from cultivation. Considering the growing popularity of the Hybrid Dock as a green leaf vegetable, a biomass and biofuel producing crop (among other uses), and a potentially invasive alien, we think that a proper botanical name should be assigned to that taxon. Here it is described as a new hybridogenous species Rumex kioviensis Rakhmetov, A. Mosyakin & Mosyakin. Diagnostic characters distinguishing this new taxon from its parent taxa and other related species are indicated. Some remaining taxonomic and nomenclatural problems regarding Asian taxa related to R. patientia are briefly discussed.

Shallow soils in dryland ecosystems: Drivers of C accumulation and land management implications

Shallow soils (i.e., Lithic Entisols) cover about 20% of Brazilian drylands. Inherent soil characteristics (i.e., shallow depths) and water scarcity restrict plant growth and carbon (C) inputs in these soils. In such a sensitive ecosystem, sustainable land management options are key to promoting socio-economic development and ensuring food security. Here, we use a dataset of 50 Lithic Entisol profiles distributed within the Brazilian drylands (northeastern region) to: (i) investigate the effects of land-use (cropland, grassland, and native forest), climate (semi-arid and dry sub-humid), and slope classes (0–3%, 3–8%, 8–20% and 20–45%) on soil C accumulation; and (ii) evaluate how understanding multiple drivers C accumulation can support the identification of sustainable land management options. The results suggested that land use does not affect C stock and C/N ratio, nevertheless, they were affected by climate. Under dry sub-humid climate conditions, C stocks were 41.7 Mg ha−1, 44% higher than under semi-arid climate (28.9 Mg ha−1), a result that reflects the effect of higher biomass production in wetter environments. Under slopes of 20–45%, C stocks were 54.3 Mg ha−1, 172% higher than under slopes of 0–3% (19.9 Mg ha−1), because of the higher altitudes and wetter conditions under steeper slopes. Our results showed that areas under lower slopes have lower C stocks and lower aridity index. These drier conditions reduce the productive potential of annual crops and grasslands but enable the cultivation of high-yielding Crassulacean Acid Metabolism (CAM) crops, such as Agave spp, which have a high potential for biofuel production. Furthermore, the possibility of reintroducing organic residues from ethanol production can promote an increase in C stocks, contributing to climate change mitigation. Ultimately, our study provides insights from a holistic view of SOC accumulation drivers, supporting land use planning of highly sensitive environments in tropical drylands around the world.

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.

Computational insights into selective glucose to 5-hydroxymethylfurfural (HMF) conversion by reducing humins formation in aqueous media under Brønsted acid-catalyzed conditions.

5-Hydroxymethylfurfural (HMF) is known for its potential in biofuel production and as a platform chemical for many commercially important molecules. The cost-effective large-scale production of HMF from glucose is hampered by its poor yield in aqueous media due to the formation of polymeric side products known as humins. Thus, reducing humins formation is a strategy for the efficient conversion of glucose to HMF. However, the origin of humins formation and their structures are elusive. In this regard, we investigated the polymerization mechanism and the structure of humins formed during the Brønsted-acid-catalyzed dehydration of glucose to HMF in an aqueous medium by employing density functional theory-based calculations and microkinetic analyses. Notably, the results of this work indicate that humins formation occurs only after the formation of HMF in the reaction mixture and the major part of the humins structure (about 60%) is composed of furanic rings. Furthermore, based on the knowledge gained from in-depth mechanistic and microkinetic studies, potential strategies to reduce humins formation and thereby enhance HMF selectivity are proposed here.

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.