Search for Articles:
Title / Keyword
Author / Affiliation / Email
Journal
Article Type
 
 
Advanced Search
 
Section
Special Issue
Volume
Issue
Number
Page
 
5.7
3.3
Journals
Fermentation
Special Issues
Recent Advancements in Fermentation Technology: Biofuels Production
Due to scheduled maintenance work on our servers, there may be short service disruptions on this website between 11:00 and 12:00 CEST on March 28th.
share announcement

Recent Advancements in Fermentation Technology: Biofuels Production

A special issue of Fermentation (ISSN 2311-5637). This special issue belongs to the section "Industrial Fermentation".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 30 June 2026 | Viewed by 4896

Special Issue Editors

Dr. Sufia Hena

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Faculty of Science and Engineering, Curtin University, Perth, WA, Australia
Interests: bio-decarbonisation; CO2 sequestration; bio-leaching of metals and minerals; restoration of mining sites; bio-energy; bio-remediation of wastewater; adaptive laboratory evolution of microorganism; photo-bioreactors
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Prof. Dr. Silvio Silvério da Silva

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Department of Biotechnology, Engineering School of Lorena, University of São Paulo, Lorena 12.602-810, Brazil
Interests: biorefineries; sustainable products (second-generation ethanol, xylitol and biosurfactants, biopolymers, bioligants and biopigments); pre-treatment of plant biomasses, bioeconomy, industrial microbiology
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Fermentation technology remains central to the advancement of next-generation biofuels, particularly bioethanol, which stands as a leading sustainable alternative to fossil fuels. Recent breakthroughs in microbial engineering, synthetic biology, and bioprocess optimisation have significantly improved the efficiency, yield, and feedstock flexibility of bioethanol production. Techniques such as metabolic pathway engineering, adaptive laboratory evolution, and co-culture systems are expanding the use of non-food biomass, including lignocellulosic materials and industrial residues. Moreover, the integration of emerging approaches, such as electro-fermentation and next-generation bioreactor designs, is enhancing process control, energy efficiency, and scalability. A transition toward precision fermentation is redefining traditional production methods, offering greater specificity and environmental sustainability.

This Special Issue aims to highlight cutting-edge innovations in fermentation with a special focus on their application in bioethanol production. It will explore current challenges, practical implementation strategies, and future outlooks. By bridging biology and engineering, this collection will showcase how modern fermentation technologies are driving progress in the biofuels sector and accelerating the global energy transition. We invite contributions from academic and industry researchers in the form of original research, reviews, field studies, reports, short communications, and hypothesis-driven articles aimed at building a more sustainable future.

Dr. Sufia Hena
Prof. Dr. Silvio Silvério da Silva
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 250 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for assessment.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Fermentation is an international peer-reviewed open access monthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2100 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • fermentation
  • precision fermentation
  • electro-fermentation
  • fermenter design
  • co-culture systems
  • adaptive laboratory evolution
  • biofuels

Benefits of Publishing in a Special Issue

  • Ease of navigation: Grouping papers by topic helps scholars navigate broad scope journals more efficiently.
  • Greater discoverability: Special Issues support the reach and impact of scientific research. Articles in Special Issues are more discoverable and cited more frequently.
  • Expansion of research network: Special Issues facilitate connections among authors, fostering scientific collaborations.
  • External promotion: Articles in Special Issues are often promoted through the journal's social media, increasing their visibility.
  • Reprint: MDPI Books provides the opportunity to republish successful Special Issues in book format, both online and in print.

Further information on MDPI's Special Issue policies can be found here.

Published Papers (4 papers)

Download All Papers
Order results
Result details
Show export options expand_more Show export options expand_less
Select all
Export citation of selected articles as:

Research

Jump to: Review, Other

21 pages, 3726 KB  
Article
Enhancing Biogas Production and Methane Yields Through Microbial Electrolysis Cell-Assisted Anaerobic Digestion in a Fed Batch Reactor
by Rudolphus Antonius Timmers, Enrique Pérez Zapatero, Fernán Berride García, Miriam Barrazón Peña, Miguel Ángel Sánchez-Gatón and Dolores Hidalgo
Fermentation 2026, 12(3), 152; https://doi.org/10.3390/fermentation12030152 - 14 Mar 2026
Viewed by 346
Abstract
To address the limitations of conventional anaerobic digestion (AD), this study explored the integration of microbial electrolysis cells (MECs) with AD to improve biogas production and process stability. While AD is a proven technology for renewable energy recovery from waste, it can suffer [...] Read more.
To address the limitations of conventional anaerobic digestion (AD), this study explored the integration of microbial electrolysis cells (MECs) with AD to improve biogas production and process stability. While AD is a proven technology for renewable energy recovery from waste, it can suffer from volatile fatty acid accumulation and reduced efficiency. The hybrid MEC–AD system leverages electro-methanogenesis to enhance methane yields and overall system performance. This research evaluated the effects of different electrode materials (graphite plate vs. graphite felt) and applied voltages (0.5 V and 0.7 V) on biogas output, methane content, and operational stability. Results showed that MEC–AD systems significantly outperformed conventional AD, with the highest biogas production reaching 239 ± 3 mL/gVS·d—an increase of up to 162% using graphite felt electrodes at 0.5 V. Internal resistance was also markedly lower with graphite felt (19 Ω/m2) compared to graphite plates (1120 Ω/m2). Furthermore, the pH of the MEC–AD system with graphite felt electrodes was maintained within the optimal range (6.8–7.0), avoiding the acidification seen in control systems. These findings underscore the promise of MEC–AD systems for advancing circular bio-economy initiatives and carbon neutrality. Further work is needed to refine electrode materials and reactor design for improved scalability and efficiency. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Recent Advancements in Fermentation Technology: Biofuels Production)
►▼ Show Figures

Figure 1

14 pages, 2211 KB  
Article
Mechanisms of Ofloxacin Exposure Inhibiting Hydrogen Production in Anaerobic Fermentation
by Luyao Zhou, Jiasheng Zhang, Jianning Chang and Panyue Zhang
Fermentation 2026, 12(2), 105; https://doi.org/10.3390/fermentation12020105 - 11 Feb 2026
Viewed by 675
Abstract
Ofloxacin (OFL) exists widely in raw materials of organic fermentation, which can inhibit hydrogen production of dark fermentation. In this study, the inhibition of OFL on hydrogen production was studied from the aspects of hydrogen production performance, bacterial community and functional genes using [...] Read more.
Ofloxacin (OFL) exists widely in raw materials of organic fermentation, which can inhibit hydrogen production of dark fermentation. In this study, the inhibition of OFL on hydrogen production was studied from the aspects of hydrogen production performance, bacterial community and functional genes using glucose as a model substrate. The results showed that OFL exposure ≥ 10 mg/L significantly decreased the hydrogen production. With an OFL exposure concentration of 500 mg/L, the hydrogen yield reduced to 48.35 ± 2.13 mL/g glucose and the lag period prolonged to 26.48 ± 0.40 h, compared with those of control without ofloxacin exposure (169.99 ± 9.68 mL/g glucose and 8.98 ± 0.07 h), respectively. The efficient hydrogen-producing bacteria, Clostridium, were inhibited and the dominant microbial population was transformed, leading to change in metabolic pathway of fermentation from butyric acid type to ethanol type. Correspondingly, the proportion of butyrate in metabolites decreased from 66.46% to 0.00%, the proportion of acetate decreased from 26.12% to 3.69%, and the proportion of ethanol increased from 3.13% to 96.31%. OFL exposure showed significant downregulation of predicted functional genes involved in glycolysis and hydrogen production, such as K00845, K00532, and K03737, fundamentally resulting in significant inhibition of glycolysis and pyruvate metabolism for hydrogen production. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Recent Advancements in Fermentation Technology: Biofuels Production)
►▼ Show Figures

Figure 1

Review

Jump to: Research, Other

48 pages, 7808 KB  
Review
Precision Fermentation as a Frontier in Biofuel Production: Advances, Challenges, and Integration into Biorefineries
by Daiane Barão Pereira, Giovanna Lima-Silva, Larissa Batista do Nascimento Soares, Lorena Vieira Bentolila de Aguiar, Aldenora dos Santos Vasconcelos, Vítor Alves Pessoa, Roberta Pozzan, Josilene Lima Serra, Ceci Sales-Campos, Larissa Ramos Chevreuil and Walter José Martínez-Burgos
Fermentation 2026, 12(1), 35; https://doi.org/10.3390/fermentation12010035 - 6 Jan 2026
Viewed by 1776
Abstract
The industrial transition to advanced biofuels is currently limited by the metabolic constraints and low inhibitor tolerance of wild-type microbial hosts. This review justifies the necessity of Precision Fermentation (PF) as the pivotal technological framework to overcome these barriers, providing a systematic synthesis [...] Read more.
The industrial transition to advanced biofuels is currently limited by the metabolic constraints and low inhibitor tolerance of wild-type microbial hosts. This review justifies the necessity of Precision Fermentation (PF) as the pivotal technological framework to overcome these barriers, providing a systematic synthesis of high-resolution genetic tools and intelligent bioprocess architectures. We analyze how the integration of CRISPR-Cas9, retron-mediated recombineering, and synthetic regulatory circuits enables the development of specialized microbial “chassis” capable of achieving 10- to 100-fold higher yields compared to native organisms, with industrial titers reaching 50 g/L for isobutanol and 25 g/L for farnesene. A major novelty of this work is the critical evaluation of Artificial Intelligence (AI), Soft Sensing, and Digital Twins in orchestrating real-time metabolic control and mitigating the toxic effects of advanced alcohols and drop-in hydrocarbons (C15–C20). Furthermore, the study concludes that the “scale-out” modular strategy, when integrated into hybrid thermochemical-biochemical biorefineries, allows for the full valorization of C5/C6 sugars and lignin, achieving a Minimum Selling Price (MSP) competitive with fossil fuels. By mapping the synergy between advanced metabolic engineering and data-driven process optimization, this review establishes PF as an indispensable driver for achieving carbon-neutral and carbon-negative energy systems in the circular bioeconomy. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Recent Advancements in Fermentation Technology: Biofuels Production)
►▼ Show Figures

Graphical abstract

Other

Jump to: Research, Review

25 pages, 1313 KB  
Systematic Review
Advances in Third-Generation Bioethanol Production, Industrial Infrastructure and Efficient Technologies in Sustainable Processes with Algae Biomass: Systematic Review
by Jesus R. Melendez, Daniel A. Lowy, Sufia Hena and Leonardo Gutierrez
Fermentation 2026, 12(1), 2; https://doi.org/10.3390/fermentation12010002 - 19 Dec 2025
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1578
Abstract
The growing global concern about the environmental impact of fossil fuels’ greenhouse gas emissions has spurred the introduction of innovative, sustainable alternatives. Microalgae biomass holds substantial potential as a viable source material for producing environmentally friendly biofuels. Third-generation (3G) biofuels, specifically algae-derived bioethanol, [...] Read more.
The growing global concern about the environmental impact of fossil fuels’ greenhouse gas emissions has spurred the introduction of innovative, sustainable alternatives. Microalgae biomass holds substantial potential as a viable source material for producing environmentally friendly biofuels. Third-generation (3G) biofuels, specifically algae-derived bioethanol, have emerged as viable alternatives to traditional biofuels. The research provides an exhaustive analysis of the contemporary understanding of manufacturing 3G biofuels from microalgae and macroalgae. Additionally, the study provides an in-depth discussion of the identified gaps within these areas. By conducting a systematic literature review, the authors describe current knowledge of 3G biofuel production. The study addresses two key categories: (i) infrastructure and industrial technology, and (ii) the processes for obtaining third-generation biofuels. One highlights the need for efficient management in all stages of bioethanol production, including cultivation, harvesting, extraction, and conversion. Furthermore, leveraging technological advancements, such as selecting superior genetic strains and developing novel conversion technologies, is essential for improving the efficiency and profitability of the manufacturing process. The successful production of 3G bioethanol from microalgae requires a comprehensive approach that addresses various challenges and incorporates sustainable practices to achieve environmental and economic goals. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Recent Advancements in Fermentation Technology: Biofuels Production)
►▼ Show Figures

Graphical abstract

Show export options expand_more Show export options expand_less
Select all
Export citation of selected articles as:
 
Displaying articles 1-4
Back to TopTop