Bioresour. Bioprod., Volume 1, Issue 1 (September 2025) – 4 articles

Filtrate from dewatering anaerobically digested biosolids is a side-stream of wastewater treatment that contains high concentrations of nitrogen and phosphorus compounds that can serve as nutrients for cultivating microalgae biomass as biofilms for bioproduct production at Water Resource Recovery Facilities (WRRFs). One system used to cultivate attached microalgae biofilms is the rotating algal biofilm reactor (RABR). A pilot RABR with 72 m² growth surface area, 11.5 m² footprint area, and a liquid volume of 11,500 L was operated in an outdoor environment at the largest WRRF in Utah, U.S.A, the Central Valley Water Reclamation Facility (CVWRF). The configuration of the RABR was altered from the previous configuration with regard to temperature and duty cycle with the goal to maximize biomass productivity. Results included an increase in dry biomass productivity on a footprint basis from 8.8 g/m²/day to 26.8 g/m²/day (205%) while power requirements changed from 28.3 W to 91 W. The increase in biomass productivity has direct benefits for bioproducts including bioplastic, biofertilizer, and the extraction of lipids for conversion to biofuels. Full article

Due to the ever-increasing energy demand, Algeria’s sustainable energy crisis is a significant problem. Plant and crop residues can be a solution to this problem if they are used for bioethanol production, a viable alternative to fossil fuels. This study explores the potential of existing agricultural crop residues to overcome the sustainable energy crisis in Algeria. Agricultural residues such as cereals, roots and tubers, pulses, oil crops, vegetables, and fruits have great potential to solve the problem. The agricultural residues that are normally wasted can be utilized to produce bioethanol, which provides sustainable energy and also help to obtain a clean environment. It has been found that 1.65 million tons of bioethanol can be produced from Algeria’s available residues, which is equivalent to 44.10 petajoule of energy. Cereal and fruit residues contribute to most bioethanol generation, about 47.22% and 23.38%, respectively. In addition, bioethanol generated from residue can be used in Algeria’s transportation sector. Considering Algeria’s current energy condition, gasoline blended with ethanol such as E10 and E5 can be used in Algerian vehicles since no modification of vehicles is needed for utilizing these fuels. Research indicates that lignocellulosic biomass sources in Algeria, such as Alfa, olive pomace, and cereal straw, could provide up to 0.67 million tons of oil equivalent (Mtoe), representing approximately 4.37% of the energy consumption of the transport sector in Algeria. Algeria has the potential to produce up to 73.5 Mtoe and 57.9 Mtoe of renewable energy utilizing the energy crops. This study will also encourage relevant policymakers to develop sustainable energy policies that will enhance the renewable energy share in Algerian energy dynamics. Full article

Heavy metals (HMs) including cadmium (Cd), lead (Pb), arsenic (As), zinc (Zn), copper (Cu), chromium (Cr), and nickel (Ni) pose significant challenges to bioenergy crop production due to their persistence, toxicity, and bioaccumulation in soils and plants. This study not only summarizes the mechanisms of HM absorption, translocation, and accumulation in bioenergy crops, but also critically assesses their impact on crop development, biomass quality, and biorefinery processes. Heavy metals disrupt key physiological processes and modify lignocellulosic composition, which is important for biofuel and biogas production. Global soil contamination from sources like industrial emissions, mining, and agricultural activities exacerbates these problems, posing a threat to both energy security and environmental sustainability. Sustainable management strategies, including phytoremediation, microbial bioremediation, soil amendments, and genetic engineering, are explored to mitigate HM effects while enhancing crop resilience. This review emphasizes the importance of integrating techniques to balance bioenergy production with environmental and human health and safety, including the use of HM-tolerant crop varieties, enhanced biorefinery processes, and robust policy frameworks. Future research should focus on developing scalable remediation technologies and interdisciplinary solutions that align with the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals and meet global bioenergy needs. Full article