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

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (20 August 2023) | Viewed by 20789

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Dr. Alessia Tropea

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Department of Chemical, Biological, Pharmaceutical and Environmental Sciences, University of Messina, Messina, Italy
Interests: fermentation process management; biofuel; biorefinery; value-added products
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

The negative global warming impact and global environmental pollution due to fossil fuels mean that the main challenge of modern society is finding alternatives to conventional fuels. In this scenario, biofuels derived from renewable biomass represent the most promising renewable energy sources. Depending on the biomass used by the fermentation technologies, it is possible to obtain first-generation biofuels produced from food crops, second-generation biofuels produced from non-food feedstocks (mainly originating from renewable lignocellulosic biomasses), and third-generation biofuels (represented by algae or food waste biomass).

Although biofuels appear to be the closest alternative to fossil fuels, it is necessary for them to be produced in competitive quantities and costs, requiring both improvements to production technologies and diversification of feedstock.

This topic is representing an interesting challenge for both the scientific and industrial world, and many efforts are still required in this field in order to reduce the negative global warming impact and global environmental pollution due to fossil fuels, in accordance with the environmentally sustainable development.

This Special Issue will focus on the development of new technologies and the implementation of new feedstock suitable for biofuels production, as well as different biomass pretreatments, fermentation strategies, different applied microorganisms used as monoculture or coculture, and different setups for biofuel fermentation processes. Moreover research on economic feasibility is also encouraged.

Therefore, I would like to invite authors to submit original innovative research articles and review papers related to the potential topics of the “Biofuels Production and Processing Technology 2.0” Special Issue.

Dr. Alessia Tropea
Guest Editor

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 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

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 2600 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

biofuel production technologies
downstream processing
upstream processing
biorefinery
energy
bioethanol production
agroforest and industrial waste feedstock valorization
microorganisms for biofuel
sustainability

Related Special Issue

Biofuels Production and Processing Technology in Fermentation (15 articles)

Published Papers (10 papers)

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Research

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22 pages, 4596 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Rapid Dilute Sulfuric Acid Hydrolysis of Soy Flour to Amino Acids for Microbial Processes and Biorefining

by Patricia J. Slininger, Maureen A. Shea-Andersh and Bruce S. Dien

Fermentation 2023, 9(12), 1028; https://doi.org/10.3390/fermentation9121028 - 16 Dec 2023

Viewed by 1146

Abstract

Amino acids have relevance in biorefining as fermentation nutrients but also as valued coproducts obtainable from plant biomass. Soy flour was studied as a representative low-cost protein source requiring hydrolysis to free primary amino acids for utilization. Within the context of biorefining, process schemes, reactant concentrations, times, and temperatures were varied to explore the efficiency of dilute sulfuric acid hydrolysis of soy flour to release amino acids. Two process strategies were optimized. Either soy flour was co-processed with switchgrass biomass using a dilute-acid pretreatment, or it was hydrolyzed alone with dilute acid. Significant improvement to hydrolysate fermentability was accomplished by adding 2.5–10 g/L soy flour to switchgrass pretreatment with dilute sulfuric acid (0.936% v/v) for 15 min at 160 °C. This practice optimized accumulation of neutral sugars and resulted in a 25% reduction in furfural while boosting xylose 7% and up to doubling primary amino nitrogen (PAN), as compared to no soy flour addition to switchgrass pretreatment. When soy flour was hydrolyzed alone, PAN titers were optimized to 1588 mg N/L (9.9 g amino acids/L) and yield to 0.0529 g PAN/g flour (61% of theoretical) using a 10% (v/v) (1.8 M) sulfuric acid hydrolysis 30 min at 160 °C. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Biofuels Production and Processing Technology 2.0)

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16 pages, 3596 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Batch Simultaneous Saccharification and Fermentation of Primary Sludge at Very High Solid Concentrations for Bioethanol Production

by Cátia V. T. Mendes, Jorge M. S. Rocha and M. Graça V. S. Carvalho

Fermentation 2023, 9(10), 888; https://doi.org/10.3390/fermentation9100888 - 30 Sep 2023

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 911

Abstract

A sustainable industrial future involves the exploitation of renewable resources to obtain a wide diversity of products and energy and the decrease of waste generation. Primary sludge (PS) from pulp and paper mills is a lignocellulosic residue mainly consisting of cellulose and hemicelluloses that can be converted to bioethanol. In the present work, bioethanol was produced from untreated PS by simultaneous saccharification and fermentation (SSF). Studies were carried out on initial solid concentration, yeast inoculum percentage, cellulolytic enzyme dosage, and co-application of two enzyme complexes (cellulolytic NS 22192 and xylanolytic Cellic^® HTec2, Bagsværd, Denmark). Increasing solid content up to 22% improved ethanol concentration (59.1 g L⁻¹), productivity (1.97 g L⁻¹ h⁻¹), and yield (86.3%); however, at the maximum solid concentration (28%), both yield and productivity decreased. At the highest solid concentration, a decrease of 33% in the cellulolytic enzyme dosage was observed (compared to reference enzyme loadings). The co-application of the two enzyme complexes had a positive effect on PS conversion efficiency. When a preliminary scale-up strategy was implemented from 50 mL to 2.5 L at 22% solids concentration, similar results were obtained despite the initial mixing difficulties of the heterogeneous system. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Biofuels Production and Processing Technology 2.0)

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23 pages, 3036 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Influence of Different Angles in the Photobioreactor on Algal Biomass Growth with Optimized Poultry Excreta Leachate: A Batch-Scale Study

by Har Mohan Singh, V. V. Tyagi, Richa Kothari and Ahmet Sari

Fermentation 2023, 9(3), 265; https://doi.org/10.3390/fermentation9030265 - 07 Mar 2023

Cited by 3 | Viewed by 1419

Abstract

In this study, the influence of solar inclination angles on biomass growth and the biomolecule profile of Chlorella pyrenoidosa (C. pyrenoidosa) were analyzed in the vertical flat–panel photobioreactor (FPPBR). The growth of C. pyrenoidosa was analyzed at three different solar inclination angles (32.9°, 47.9°, and 90°) in a natural open environment with BG-11 medium and poultry excreta leachate (PEL). The maximum yield of biomass was obtained at 2.40 g/L with PEL and 1.45 g/L with BG-11 medium at a solar inclination angle of 47.9°. The biomass yield with PEL and BG-11 was 5.09–10.26%, 3.94–5.72%, respectively, while biomass productivity with PEL and BG-11 was 5.27–10.63%, 4.06–5.90% higher at a solar inclination angle of 47.9° as compared to 32.9°. The average temperature and radiation of FPPBR were recorded ≈3.90 ± 0.40% and ≈17.28 ± 2.23% higher at a solar inclination angle of 47.9° as compared to a solar inclination angle of 32.9°. The inclined radiation was acquired the maximum area of FPPBR. Results indicated that solar inclination angles enhanced the productivity of algae in FPPBR. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Biofuels Production and Processing Technology 2.0)

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14 pages, 2073 KiB

Open AccessFeature PaperArticle

Effect of Laccase Detoxification on Bioethanol Production from Liquid Fraction of Steam-Pretreated Olive Tree Pruning

by David Ibarra, María E. Eugenio, Pablo Alvira, Ignacio Ballesteros, Mercedes Ballesteros and María J. Negro

Fermentation 2023, 9(3), 214; https://doi.org/10.3390/fermentation9030214 - 23 Feb 2023

Cited by 5 | Viewed by 1556

Abstract

During lignocellulosic bioethanol production, the whole slurry obtained by steam explosion is filtered, generating a water-insoluble fraction rich in cellulose which is used for saccharification and ethanol fermentation, as well as a liquid fraction containing solubilised glucose and xylose but also some inhibitory by-products (furan derivatives, weak acids and phenols), which limits its use for this purpose. Since utilization of this liquid fraction to ethanol is essential for an economically feasible cellulosic ethanol process, this work studied a laccase from Myceliophthora thermophila to detoxify the liquid fraction obtained from steam-pretreated olive tree pruning (OTP) and to overcome the effects of these inhibitors. Then, the fermentation of laccase-treated liquid fraction was evaluated on ethanol production by different Saccharomyces cerevisiae strains, including the Ethanol Red, with the capacity to ferment glucose but not xylose, and the xylose-fermenting recombinant strain F12. Laccase treatment reduced total phenols content by 87% from OTP liquid fraction, not affecting furan derivatives and weak acids concentration. Consequently, the fermentative behavior of both Ethanol Red and F12 strains was improved, and ethanol production and yields were increased. Moreover, F12 strain was capable of utilizing some xylose, which increased ethanol production (10.1 g/L) compared to Ethanol Red strain (8.6 g/L). Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Biofuels Production and Processing Technology 2.0)

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10 pages, 2482 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Effect of Corn Straw on Hydrogen Production from Lignite

by Ying Wang, Litong Ma and Jun Li

Fermentation 2023, 9(2), 106; https://doi.org/10.3390/fermentation9020106 - 23 Jan 2023

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1415

Abstract

The conversion of lignite to clean energy has won considerable attention and plays an important role in achieving the goal of carbon reduction. The effects of corn straw on hydrogen production from lignite was explored by using lignite as the substrate and corn straw as an exogenous substance. The fermentation mechanism was elucidated through the analysis of total and daily hydrogen production; the concentration of humic acid, benzoic acid, pyruvate, and glucose, as well as pH value. In addition, total solid (TS), and volatile solid (VS) from activated sludge before and after fermentation are examined. The results showed that corn straw could accelerate hydrogen production from lignite with an optimal content of corn straw of 40%. The fermentative hydrogen production with 40% corn straw was up to 186.20 mL, 3.40 times higher than that of the control group. Corn straw effectively improved the concentration of humic acid and benzoic acid, accelerating the anaerobic fermentation of lignite to produce hydrogen. The concentration of pyruvic acid, glucose, pH, and the changes in TS and VS before and after fermentation showed that the group of 40% corn straw had a better promotion effect than other systems for hydrogen production. This provides a new idea for improving hydrogen production through lignite anaerobic fermentation. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Biofuels Production and Processing Technology 2.0)

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15 pages, 1776 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Evaluation of Laminaria Digitata Hydrolysate for the Production of Bioethanol and Butanol by Fermentation

by Antoine Moenaert, Ana M. López-Contreras, Miriam Budde, Leila Allahgholi, Xiaoru Hou, Anne-Belinda Bjerre, Johann Örlygsson, Eva Nordberg Karlsson, Ólafur H. Friðjónsson and Guðmundur Óli Hreggviðsson

Fermentation 2023, 9(1), 59; https://doi.org/10.3390/fermentation9010059 - 11 Jan 2023

Cited by 3 | Viewed by 1884

Abstract

Seaweeds (macroalgae) are gaining attention as potential sustainable feedstock for the production of fuels and chemicals. This comparative study focuses on the characterization of the microbial production of alcohols from fermentable carbohydrates in the hydrolysate of the macroalgae Laminaria digitata as raw material. The potential of a hydrolysate as a carbon source for the production of selected alcohols was tested, using three physiologically different fermentative microbes, in two main types of processes. For the production of ethanol, Saccharomyces cerevisiae was used as a benchmark microorganism and compared with the strictly anaerobic thermophile Thermoanaerobacterium strain AK17. For mixed production of acetone/isopropanol, butanol, and ethanol (A/IBE), three strictly anaerobic Clostridium strains were compared. All strains grew well on the hydrolysate, and toxicity constraints were not observed, but fermentation performance and product profiles were shown to be both condition- and strain-specific. S. cerevisiae utilized only glucose for ethanol formation, while strain AK17 utilized glucose, mannitol, and parts of the glucan oligosaccharides. The clostridia strains tested showed different nutrient requirements, and were able to utilize glucan, mannitol, and organic acids in the hydrolysate. The novelty of this study embodies the application of different inoculates for fermenting a common brown seaweed found in the northern Atlantic Ocean. It provides important information on the fermentation properties of different microorganisms and pinpoints the value of carbon source utilization when selecting microbes for efficient bioconversion into biofuel and chemical products of interest. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Biofuels Production and Processing Technology 2.0)

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16 pages, 1661 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Integration of Dark Fermentation with Microbial Electrolysis Cells for Biohydrogen and Methane Production from Distillery Wastewater and Glycerol Waste Co-Digestion

by Sureewan Sittijunda, Sulfan Baka, Rattana Jariyaboon, Alissara Reungsang, Tsuyoshi Imai and Prawit Kongjan

Fermentation 2022, 8(10), 537; https://doi.org/10.3390/fermentation8100537 - 13 Oct 2022

Cited by 3 | Viewed by 2507

Abstract

This study aimed to enhance dark fermentative hydrogen production from co-digestion of distillery wastewater (DW) and glycerol waste (GW) through integration with microbial electrolysis cells. First, the optimal proportion of DW and GW in hydrogen production was investigated in batch mode. The results show that DW and GW co-digestion at a ratio of 99:1 (% v/v) gave the highest hydrogen yield of 149.5 mL-H₂/g − VS_added. Continuous hydrogen production using the optimal proportion was conducted in a continuously stirred tank reactor. As a result, a maximal hydrogen yield of 99.7 mL-H₂/g − VS_added was achieved, and the dominant hydrogen-producing bacterium was Clostridium sensu stricto 7. The dark fermentation effluent from the continuously stirred tank reactor was later used to produce methane using batch MECs. The maximum methane yield of 115.1 mL-CH₄/g − VS_added was obtained under an applied voltage of 1 V and continuous stirring at 120–140 rpm. Microbial community analysis revealed that Metahnobacterium, Methanomethylovorans, Methanoculleus, and Methanosarcina were the methanogenic archaea in the microbial electrolysis cell reactor. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Biofuels Production and Processing Technology 2.0)

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21 pages, 4148 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Increasing Biomethane Production in MSW Anaerobic Digestion Process by Chemical and Thermal Pretreatment and Process Commercialization Evaluation

by Esfandiyar Naeiji, Alireza Noorpoor and Hossein Ghnavati

Fermentation 2022, 8(9), 463; https://doi.org/10.3390/fermentation8090463 - 16 Sep 2022

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1869

Abstract

One of the methods of municipal waste disposal and energy production is anaerobic digestion. This study investigates the effect of thermal and chemical pretreatment on the anaerobic digester’s biomethane production. The optimal condition was evaluated using RSM in two modes: maximum and minimum use of H₂O₂. The optimal state was obtained in the first case under 110.8 °C, 4.63% NaOH, 8% H₂O₂, and 111.9 °C, 4.47% NaOH, 2% H₂O₂ in the second case. Experimental results obtained 77%, 76.6% VS (volatile solid) reduction, and 89.1%, 88.7% SCOD (soluble chemical oxygen demand) reduction in the two optimum conditions, respectively. Experiment results were extrapolated to dry industrial digesters using a factor of 0.89% and durations including 30 days and 25 days. Then, the processes of biogas improvement were simulated. After biogas improvement, the economic analysis of the process was conducted with the definition of various scenarios. It was determined that, at current prices, pretreatment is not economically viable and that, with an increase in electricity prices to 0.09 $/kWh and 0.145 $/kWh, the digestion process with a NaOH 4.47% 112 °C pretreatment, chemical scrubbing, and digestion with NaOH 4.47% 112 °C, 2% H₂O₂ are sequentially economically viable. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Biofuels Production and Processing Technology 2.0)

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Review

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15 pages, 635 KiB

Open AccessReview

Characteristics of Substrates Used for Biogas Production in Terms of Water Content

by Wojciech Czekała, Mateusz Nowak and Wiktor Bojarski

Fermentation 2023, 9(5), 449; https://doi.org/10.3390/fermentation9050449 - 09 May 2023

Cited by 5 | Viewed by 3880

Abstract

New technologies based on the anaerobic digestion process make it possible to manage problematic waste. Methane efficiency depends largely on the level of the hydration of the substrates used for biogas production and their ability to decompose easily. The aim of this study was to present the current state of knowledge and practices in substrate hydration characteristics, focusing on pretreatment methods as the preferred method for improving efficiency. The paper discusses issues related to the degree of hydration of substrates in the context of their use in biogas plants. Reference was also made to topics related to the transportation and logistics of raw material supply regarding environmental impact. Biogas plant projects should be expanded to include an element related to assessing the impact of raw material deliveries on the immediate environment. Previous papers have not sufficiently analyzed the aspect related to the hydration of substrates used in anaerobic digestion processes. The presented and discussed research results can be implemented to optimize biogas plant water management processes. By replacing standard feedstock transportation methods with a pipeline, the environmental impact can be reduced by nearly ten times. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Biofuels Production and Processing Technology 2.0)

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29 pages, 1918 KiB

Open AccessReview

Microbial Behavior and Influencing Factors in the Anaerobic Digestion of Distiller: A Comprehensive Review

by Gang Li, Fuzhuo Xu, Tenglun Yang, Xiqing Wang, Tao Lyu and Zhigang Huang

Fermentation 2023, 9(3), 199; https://doi.org/10.3390/fermentation9030199 - 21 Feb 2023

Cited by 7 | Viewed by 2669

Abstract

Anaerobic digestion technology is regarded as the most ideal technology for the treatment of a distiller in terms of environmental protection, resource utilization, and cost. However, there are some limitations to this process, the most prominent of which is microbial activity. The purpose of this paper is to provide a critical review of the microorganisms involved in the anaerobic digestion process of a distiller, with emphasis on the archaea community. The effects of operating parameters on microbial activity and process, such as pH, temperature, TAN, etc., are discussed. By understanding the activity of microorganisms, the anaerobic treatment technology of a distiller can be more mature. Aiming at the problem that anaerobic treatment of a distiller alone is not effective, the synergistic effect of different substrates is briefly discussed. In addition, the recent literature on the use of microorganisms to purify a distiller was collected in order to better purify the distiller and reduce harm. In the future, more studies are needed to elucidate the interactions between microorganisms and establish the mechanisms of microbial interactions in different environments. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Biofuels Production and Processing Technology 2.0)

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