Residual Biomass Research Articles

Valorization of Residual Babassu Mesocarp Biomass to Obtain Aroma Compounds by Solid-State Fermentation

Valorization of Residual Babassu Mesocarp Biomass to Obtain Aroma Compounds by Solid-State Fermentation

Biomass Resources and Emission Reduction Potential of Agricultural and Livestock Residues in Mainland China from 2013 to 2022

Controlling carbon emissions is a global goal, and China is actively implementing carbon reduction measures. As a major agricultural nation, China has considerable potential for developing agricultural residues as renewable and environmentally friendly biomass energy. In this study, we obtained data on crop yields, crop-to-grain ratios, and livestock excretion coefficients to calculate the biomass resources of agricultural and livestock residues in Chinese provinces from 2013 to 2022. Crop residue biomass resources showed a distribution pattern with higher levels in the north than in the south and the east than in the west. Henan and Heilongjiang provinces consistently had the highest resource levels, exceeding 35 million tons annually for 10 years. The biomass resources from livestock residues were relatively abundant in Sichuan, Henan, Yunnan, Shandong, Hunan, and Inner Mongolia. Inner Mongolia, Sichuan, Shandong, and Henan had the greatest potential for CO2 emission reductions, primarily located in regions abundant in biomass resources and with high traditional energy consumption levels. ArcGIS was used to apply natural break classification to categorize the potential for emission reductions from agricultural and livestock residues across China from 2013 to 2022 into five classes. Based on factors such as crop planting area and livestock numbers, the spatiotemporal distribution of factors influencing the quantity of biomass resources was examined using Geographically and Temporally Weighted Regression. A tailored and integrated approach should be used for biomass, and the development of biomass energy should be promoted through policy support and technological innovation.

Zero-waste biorefining co-products from ultrasonically assisted deep eutectic solvent-pretreated Chlorella biomass: Sustainable production of biodiesel and bio-fertilizer

Microalgal biomass is gaining increasing attention to produce high-value co-products. This study proposes integrating Chlorella microalgal biomass into a zero-waste biorefining system, aiming to produce biodiesel and biofertilizer. It investigates optimal conditions for ultrasound-assisted deep eutectic solvent (DES) pretreatment and lipid recovery to enhance the extraction of lipids. Optimal DES pretreatment was identified as a 1.6:1 acetic acid-to-choline chloride molar ratio, 0.36 g biomass loading, and 2.50 min of pretreatment. Lipid recovery succeeded with a 10-minute extraction time and a 1:3 methanol-to-butanol volume ratio. These conditions yielded biodiesel-quality lipids at 139.52 mg/g microalgal biomass with superior fuel characteristics. The de-oiled microalgal biomass residue exhibited promise as a lettuce biofertilizer, enhancing photosynthetic pigments but potentially reducing yields by 40 %. The study also notes changes in rhizosphere microbial communities, indicating both stimulatory and inhibitory effects on beneficial microbes. This study has the potential to enhance sustainability in energy, agriculture, and the environment.

Resource recovery and contaminants of emerging concern mitigation by microalgae treating wastewater

This study aimed to investigate the recovery of agricultural biostimulants and biogas from microalgae treating wastewater, in the framework of a circular bioeconomy. To this end, municipal wastewater was treated in demonstrative raceway ponds, and microalgal biomass (Scenedesmus sp.) was then harvested and downstream processed to recover biostimulants and biogas in a biorefinery approach. The effect of microalgal biostimulants on plants was evaluated by means of bioassays, while the biogas produced was quantified in biochemical methane potential (BMP) tests. Furthermore, the fate of contaminants of emerging concern (CECs) over the process was also assessed. Bioassays confirmed the biostimulant effect of microalgae, which showed gibberellin-, auxin- and cytokinin-like activity in watercress seed germination, mung bean rooting, and wheat leaf chlorophyll retention. In addition, the downstream process applied to raw biomass acted as a pre-treatment to enhance anaerobic digestion performance. After biostimulant extraction, the residual biomass represented 91% of the methane yield from the raw biomass (276 mLCH4·g−1VS). The kinetic profile of the residual biomass was 43% higher than that of the unprocessed biomass. Co-digestion with primary sludge further increased biogas production by 24%. Finally, the concentration of CECs in wastewater was reduced by more than 80%, and only 6 out of 22 CECs analyzed were present in the biostimulant obtained. Most importantly, the concentration of those contaminants was lower than in biosolids that are commonly used in agriculture, ensuring environmental safety.

Evaluation of Antioxidant Activity of Residue from Bioethanol Production Using Seaweed Biomass.

This study explores the potential of producing bioethanol from seaweed biomass and reusing the residues as antioxidant compounds. Various types of seaweed, including red (Gelidium amansii, Gloiopeltis furcata, Pyropia tenera), brown (Saccharina japonica, Undaria pinnatifida, Ascophyllum nodosum), and green species (Ulva intestinalis, Ulva prolifera, Codium fragile), were pretreated with dilute acid and enzymes and subsequently processed to produce bioethanol with Saccharomyces cerevisiae BY4741. Ethanol production followed the utilization of sugars, resulting in the highest yields from red algae > brown algae > green algae due to their high carbohydrate content. The residual biomass was extracted with water, ethanol, or methanol to evaluate its antioxidant activity. Among the nine seaweeds, the A. nodosum bioethanol residue extract (BRE) showed the highest antioxidant activity regarding the 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) activity, ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP), and reactive oxygen species (ROS) inhibition of H2O2-treated RAW 264.7 cells. These by-products can be valorized, contributing to a more sustainable and economically viable biorefinery process. This dual approach not only enhances the utilization of marine resources but also supports the development of high-value bioproducts.

Enhancing sustainable energy production in the Canary Islands: Valorization of local biomass resources through thermochemical processes

Diverse biomass sources from the Canary Islands (vineyard, tomato plant residues, Canary pine needles and Pennisetum setaceum) were assessed due to their local abundance, availability, and low supply cost. Based on their physico-chemical properties, various thermochemical processes were conducted to assess their thermal degradation behaviour, using simultaneous thermal analysis, and their potential for energy production. The results indicate that while tomato plant biomass is unsuitable for thermochemical processes because of its elevated ash content and limited volatile matter, the other biomass sources show promising potential for pyrolysis and gasification, characterized by high fixed carbon content and reactivity. The yearly production of residual biomass in the Canary Islands was quantified at 87,253 tonnes. This biomass could generate an estimated 88.5 GWh of electricity annually. Considering that electricity consumption in the Canary Islands reached 8750 GWh in 2023, biomass-derived electricity could contribute approximately 1.0 % to the archipelago's energy needs. These findings highlight the significant role of local biomass resources in advancing renewable energy goals and reduce dependence on non-renewable sources, promoting a greener energy landscape for the Canary Islands.

Fire Risk Reduction and Recover Energy Potential: A Disruptive Theoretical Optimization Model to the Residual Biomass Supply Chain

Rural fires have been a constant concern, with most being associated with land abandonment. However, some fires occur due to negligent attitudes towards fire, which is often used to remove agroforestry leftovers. In addition to the fire risk, this burning also represents a waste of the energy present in this residual biomass. Both rural fires and energy waste affect the three dimensions of sustainability. The ideal solution seems to be to use this biomass, avoiding the need for burning and recovering the energy potential. However, this process is strongly affected by logistical costs, making this recovery unfeasible. In this context, this study aims to propose an optimization model for this chain, focusing on the three dimensions of sustainability. The results of the present study comprise a summary of the current state of the art in supply-chain optimization, as well as a disruptive mathematical model to optimize the residual biomass supply chain. To achieve this objective, a literature review was carried out in the first phase, incorporating the specificities of the context under study to arrive at the final model. To conclude, this study provides a review covering several metaheuristics, including ant colony optimization, genetic algorithms, particle swarm optimization, and simulated annealing, which can be used in this context, adding another valuable input to the final discussion.

Bioenergy Potential Assessment of Crop Residue Biomass Resources in Africa Towards Circular Economy

Bioenergy Potential Assessment of Crop Residue Biomass Resources in Africa Towards Circular Economy

Alkaline pretreatment of Durio sp. residual biomass enhances cellulose accessibility for efficient bioethanol production

The reliance on fossil fuels for energy generation has led to significant environmental, social, and economic challenges, necessitating the exploration of sustainable alternatives. Bioethanol, derived from renewable sources such as agricultural waste, presents a promising substitute. This study investigates the potential of durian skin, an abundant agricultural byproduct, as a raw material for bioethanol production. Alkaline pretreatment using NaOH significantly altered the chemical composition and structural properties of durian skin, increasing cellulose content and removing lignin. The cellulose content of the outer durian skin (ODS) and deep durian skin (DDS) increased by 57.53% and 59.28%, respectively, after pretreatment. The X-ray diffraction and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy of cellulose and lignin provide significant information. Using 30 FPU enzymes to load the substrate results in DDS producing 126 g/L of glucose and 42.8 g/L of ethanol. The optimal conditions are 15% NaOH pretreatment, 150 °C, 4 bars pressure, and 90 min. The study demonstrates the economic viability and environmental benefits of utilising durian skin for bioethanol production, offering insights into sustainable energy sources and waste valorisation. These findings contribute to the global shift towards renewable energy and highlight the importance of pretreatment in enhancing bioethanol production efficiency from agricultural biomass waste.

Biomass of Shoots and Roots of Multicomponent Grasslands and Their Impact on Soil Carbon Accumulation in Arenosol Rich in Stones

To prevent the degradation of light-textured soils, it is advisable to use them for grasslands. These soil management systems help with the faster accumulation of soil organic carbon (SOC), thereby improving the soil’s properties and reducing carbon emissions from agricultural land. In this experiment, we studied the distribution of multi-component perennial grass roots in the Arenosol profile and their impact on SOC sequestration in temperate climate zones. Our research aimed to identify differences in root biomass at depths of 0–15 cm, 15–30 cm, and 30–50 cm and to assess their correlation with SOC and dissolved organic carbon (DOC) in the soil. The roots, shoots, and soil samples of fertilized and unfertilized grasslands were collected at the flowering stage and after the final grass harvest two years in a row. Our findings revealed that, in sandy loam Arenosol rich in stones, 12.4–15.9 Mg ha−1 of root biomass was accumulated at 0–50 cm of soil depth. The application of NPK fertilizers did not significantly affect grass root biomass, but significantly affected shoot biomass. Most roots (84–88%) were concentrated in the 0–15 cm layer. On average, 5.10–6.62 Mg ha−1 of organic carbon (OC) was stored in the roots of perennial grasses within 0–50 cm of soil depth. We found that the SOC content in the 0–50 cm soil layer correlated more strongly (r = 0.62, p < 0.001) with C accumulated in the roots of the corresponding layer than with shoot biomass (r = 0.41, p = 0.04). However, a significant correlation was found between DOC and shoot biomass (r = 0.68, p < 0.001) and between DOC and the biomass of residues (r = 0.71, p < 0.001), explaining the significant increase in DOC in the 30–50 cm soil layer and indicating the leaching of mobile soil organic matter (SOM) substances from the above-ground biomass using fertilizers.

Experimental and theoretical study of multiple active site-functionalized Spirulina residue-based porous carbon as an economical adsorbent for NH3 and SO2 adsorption: Micro- and macro-mechanistic investigations

Here, we successfully synthesized a cost-effective (7.88 USD/kg) multi-active site (CuCl2, CuO and KCl) functionalized Spirulina residue-based porous carbon (MMBC). This innovative synthesis method utilizes Spirulina residue, a sustainable and low-cost biomass source, making the production of MMBC economically viable and environmentally friendly. Under ambient conditions, MMBC exhibits competitive adsorption capacities for NH3 and SO2 compared to other adsorbents, reaching 3.01 mmol/g (i.e., 51.26 mg/g) and 0.70 mmol/g (i.e., 44.85 mg/g), respectively, and tolerable recoverability. These values are significant improvements over many existing adsorbents, highlighting MMBC's efficiency in removing toxic industrial chemicals (TICs). Additionally, even at low molar fractions of NH3 or SO2, such as 0.001, MMBC demonstrates significant ideal adsorption solution theory (IAST) selectivity for NH3/N2 and SO2/N2, with values of 12.02 and 4.19, respectively. This high selectivity at low concentrations underscores MMBC's potential for applications in environments with trace amounts of pollutants. Furthermore, extensive research has been conducted in this study to elucidate the microscopic and macroscopic adsorption mechanisms of NH3 and SO2 on MMBC. Specifically, investigations in statistical physics models and statistical thermodynamics reveal that the adsorption of NH3 and SO2 on MMBC adhere to a non-aggregative, multilayer, multi-anchorage, and spontaneous exothermic physicochemical behavior. And the adsorption orientation occurs either horizontally or both horizontally and non-horizontally, contingent upon the system and temperature. These findings provide a deeper understanding of the adsorption processes and provide innovative insights into the adsorption mechanisms at the molecular level and at the macroscopic scale. Besides, the material characterization results reveal that the above adsorption process involves both physical interactions (pore diffusion and van der Waals forces) and chemical interactions (CuCl2 with NH3, CuO and KCl with SO2), indicating a physicochemical adsorption mechanism. This dual mechanism of adsorption offers a comprehensive explanation of the high performance of MMBC. In summary, this study developed a cost-effective Spirulina residue-based adsorbent, exhibiting high removal efficiency and selectivity for TICs, and providing deep insights into adsorption mechanisms. The innovative use of Spirulina residue addresses waste management issues and promotes the development of sustainable materials in the field of environmental remediation, contributing to cleaner production.

Optimization of lactic acid production from apple and tomato pomaces by thermotolerant bacteria

The production of lactic acid (LA) through biomass fermentation represents a promising alternative to the chemical synthesis. The use of agri-food by-products as fermentable carbohydrate sources can improve process sustainability by reducing waste and valorizing residual biomass. This study assessed the use of apple and tomato pomaces for producing LA through fermentation using thermotolerant bacteria under aerobic and non-sterile conditions. Three bacteria were evaluated and Heyndrickxia coagulans DSM 2314 was selected for its ability to produce LA from hydrolyzates of apple pomace (APH) and tomato pomace (TPH). The fermentation conditions were optimized to maximize LA production from APH, TPH and a mixture of both hydrolyzates. Therefore, LA productions ranged from 36.98 ± 0.41 to 40.72 ± 0.43 g/L, with yields from 0.86 ± 0.02 to 1.01 ± 0.01 g/g. Yeast extract was necessary as a nitrogen source for fermenting APH, while TPH and the mixture of both hydrolyzates did not require any supplementation. Other nitrogen sources, such as wine lees, urea and NH3Cl, were tested for fermenting APH. However, mixing this hydrolyzate with TPH proved to be the most viable alternative. This study demonstrates the potential for valorizing apple and tomato pomaces into LA under feasible fermentation conditions.

Study of essential oils and hydroalcoholic extracts obtained from Clinopodium vimineum (Lamiaceae), according to its different phenological stages

ABSTRACT The Caribbean shrub, Clinopodium vimineum, had its essential oil (EO) and hydroalcoholic extracts analyzed across three growth stages: vegetative, flowering, and post-flowering. The chemical composition of the EOs was analyzed by GC/MS/FID and that of the extracts was studied by UHPLC/ESI-Q-Orbitrap-MS. Twenty six compounds (>0.1%) were detected in the EOs of C. vimineum. p-Menth-3-en-8-ol (35–40%) and pulegone (27–30%) were the major components. Among the hydroalcoholic extracts, hydroxycinnamic acids (18–46 mg/g) and glycosylated flavones (17–19 mg/g) were found. The amounts of rosmarinic acid (20–40 mg/g) in the extracts isolated from the hydrodistillation residual biomass were twice as high as those in the extracts from the fresh plant material. The antioxidant activity of the EOs and extracts was evaluated by the ABTS+• and ORAC assays. No significant differences (p > 0.05) were found in the chemical composition or antioxidant activity of EOs and hydroalcoholic extracts, obtained from plants collected at different phenological stages.

Optimization of Biodegradation of Common Bean Biomass for Fermentation Using Trichoderma asperellum WNZ-21 and Artificial Neural Networks

This study showcases a promising approach to sustainably unlocking plant biomass residues by combining biodegradation with artificial intelligence to optimize the process. Specifically, we utilized the definitive screening design (DSD) and artificial neural networks (ANNs) to optimize the degradation of common bean biomass by the endophytic fungus Trichoderma asperellum WNZ-21. The optimized process yielded a fungal hydrolysate rich in 12 essential and non-essential amino acids, totaling 18,298.14 μg/g biomass. GC-MS analysis revealed four potential novel components not previously reported in microbial filtrates or plants and seven components exclusive to plant sources but not reported in microbial filtrates. The hydrolysate contained phenolic, flavonoid, and tannin compounds, as confirmed by FT-IR analysis. High-resolution transmission electron microscopy depicted structures resembling amino acid micelles and potential protein aggregates. The hydrolysate exhibited antioxidant, antibacterial, and anticancer properties and innovatively induced apoptotic modulation in the MCF7 cancer cell line. These findings underscore the potential of ANN-optimized fermentation for various applications, particularly in anticancer medicine due to its unique composition and bioactivities. The integration of the DSD and ANNs presents a novel technique for biomass biodegradation, warranting the valorization of plant biomass and suggesting a further exploration of the new components in the fungal hydrolysate. This approach represents the basic concept for exploring other biomass sources and in vivo studies.

Improving Estimates for Barley Residue Biomass, Nutrients, and Economic Value

Improving Estimates for Barley Residue Biomass, Nutrients, and Economic Value

Residual biomasses at scale: Ensuring future bioeconomy uses outperform current baseline

To shift towards low-fossil carbon economies, making more out of residual biomass is increasingly promoted. Yet, it remains unclear if implementing advanced technologies to reuse these streams really achieves net environmental benefits compared to current management practices. By integrating spatially-explicit resource flow analysis, consequential life cycle assessment (LCA), and uncertainty analysis, we propose a single framework to quantify the residual biomass environmental baseline of a territory, and apply it to the case of France. The output is the environmental threshold that a future large-scale territorial bioeconomy strategy should overpass. For France, we estimate the residual biomass baseline to generate 18.4 ± 2.7 MtCO2-eq·y−1 (climate change), 255 ± 35 ktN-eq·y−1 (marine eutrophication), and 12,300 ± 800 disease incidences per year (particulate matter formation). The current use of crop residues and livestock effluents, being essentially a return to arable lands, was found to represent more than 90 % of total environmental impacts and uncertainties, uncovering a need for more certain data. At present, utilizing residual streams as organic fertilizers fulfills over half of France's total phosphorus (P) and potassium (K) demands. However, it only meets 6 % of the nitrogen demand, primarily because nitrogen is lost through air and water. This, coupled with the overall territorial diagnosis, led us to revisit the idea of using the current situation (based on 2018 data) as a baseline for future bioeconomy trajectories. We suggest that these should rather be compared to a projected baseline accounting for ongoing basic mitigation efforts, estimated for France at 8.5 MtCO2-eq·y−1.

Characterization and source identification of PM2.5 during intense haze episodes in an urban environment of Lahore

In the backdrop of persistent haze occurrences affecting Southeast Asia and Pakistan's environmental landscape, this study delves into an in-depth analysis of atmospheric Particulate Matter (PM2.5) during intense haze episodes prevalent in Lahore throughout October, November, and December 2019. Employing advanced analytical techniques encompassing Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) coupled with Energy-Dispersive Spectroscopy (EDX), X-ray Diffraction (XRD), and Raman Spectroscopy (RS), this investigation meticulously scrutinized PM2.5 samples. The findings showcased substantial variability in PM2.5 concentrations, peaking notably in December within the range of 43.2–301 μgm−3, averaging 168 ± 88.3 μgm−3, whereas lower concentrations ranging from 30.9 to 268 μgm−3, with an average of 106 ± 66.1 μgm−3, were observed in October. These concentrations displayed correlations with meteorological parameters, demonstrating a direct association with relative humidity and varying relationships with temperature and wind speed. The maximal PM2.5 concentrations aligned with lower temperatures (19.1 °C), while higher temperatures (26.1 °C) coincided with the lowest concentrations, illustrating distinct relationships with relative humidity percentages and wind speeds. Advanced spectroscopic analyses (RS and XRD) confirmed the presence of various minerals and elements within PM2.5 samples, encompassing calcite, calcium aluminosilicate, hematite, barite, quartz, gypsum, organic carbon, and nineteen elements identified by EDX. Morphological evaluations unveiled diverse particle shapes, from round, pointed, and irregular to rod-like, and agglomerate structures. SEM investigations delineated distinctive groups of anthropogenic and geogenic particles, emphasizing emission sources such as automobile emissions, crop residue burning, biomass burning, construction activities, soil dust, and industrial emissions. This comprehensive study lays the groundwork for source apportionment, vital for understanding consequential impacts on climate, visibility, and human health, fostering future investigations in this domain.

Production of chitosan from Aspergillus niger and quantitative evaluation of the process using adapted analytical tools

The chitosan production process from fishery waste is already established in industrial scale, whereby fungal chitosan is produced in lower amounts. Since fungal chitosan could be isolated from under-valorized vegan streams while exhibiting slightly different characteristics, it has also potential for other applications. Within this publication, we focus on the chitosan production from Aspergillus niger. This study provides a detailed determination of the biomass composition, adapting and comparing different analytical tools, with special focus on the chitin and chitosan content. The major content of the dried biomass is composed of glucans (48.6 ± 1.4%), followed by proteins with an amount of 22.2 ± 0.7%. Chitin and chitosan provide 16.0 ± 0.8% of the biomass. Within our chitosan production studies, we compared the effect of different process strategies including steps as deproteinization (DP), acid extraction (AE), deacetylation (DA), as well as purification. Initially, we obtained poor values (lower than 73.6%) for the chitosan purity. A direct DA step followed by purification resulted in a chitosan purity of up to 89.6%, a recovery of 30.5% and a yield with regard to the biomass of 5.5%. The DA degree of the resulting chitosan is similar to chitosan derived from fishery waste, whereas the molecular weight is lower. The results achieved so far are consistent with the literature, extending beyond, the data emphasized that a chitosan production from residual fungal biomass after fermentation is suitable by direct DA and purification. However, further adaption is necessary so that other matrix compounds could be also obtained.

A review on utilization of residual biomass from spices, fruits and medicinal plants for their pharmacological potential

A review on utilization of residual biomass from spices, fruits and medicinal plants for their pharmacological potential

Evaluation of pyrolysis characteristics and kinetic parameters from several prospected biomass residues by thermogravimetric analysis

Abstract With fossil fuel supplies dwindling and persistent environmental concerns surrounding their consumption, biomass has emerged as a highly promising renewable energy source. Understanding the characteristics of biomass pyrolysis is crucial as it provides valuable insights and guidance for designing and optimizing the pyrolysis process. In this regard, a thermogravimetric assessment was conducted to evaluate the pyrolysis characteristics and kinetic parameters of four prospective biomass sources: Yang Na wood (Dipterocarpus alatus), palmyra palm shell, cotton stalk, and spent coffee grounds with a condition temperature range of 33 °C to 700 °C and a heating rate of 10 °C·min-1 in a nitrogen atmosphere. The kinetic parameters were evaluated using the Coats and Redfern methods, employing various reaction order models. The activation energy and pre-exponential factor were determined for the active pyrolysis stage. The results revealed that the high heating values for all samples ranged from 18.20 to 23.00 MJ·kg-1. Additionally, the onset temperature fell within the range of 243 to 254 °C, while the offset temperature ranged from 365 to 452 °C for all samples. The conversion rate at the offset temperature was 0.67 for Yang Na wood, 0.62 for palmyra palm shell, 0.65 for cotton stalk, and 0.74 for spent coffee grounds. Moreover, the activation energies were measured as 46.47 kJ·mol-1 for Yang Na wood, 52.46 kJ·mol-1 for palmyra palm shell, 64.20 kJ·mol-1 for cotton stalk, and 69.01 kJ·mol-1 for spent coffee grounds. The higher activation energy corresponded to a higher pre-exponential factor. In conclusion, the pyrolysis characteristics and kinetic parameters of the four types of biomasses have been found to be favourable, indicating their potential for promotion and application as a raw material for the pyrolysis process.