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Fermentation
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Fermentation of Organic Waste for High-Value-Added Product Production
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Fermentation of Organic Waste for High-Value-Added Product Production

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

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (30 April 2025) | Viewed by 9441

Special Issue Editors

Prof. Dr. Hongbo Liu

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
School of Environment and Ecology, Jiangnan University, No. 1800, Lihu Avenue, Wuxi City, China
Interests: anaerobic fermentation technology and membrane bioreactors
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Dr. Hongxiao Guo

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, Hong Kong, China
Interests: anaerobic digestion; volatile fatty acids; organic waste; electrochemistry; pre-treatment; dynamic membrane bioreactor; sulfate reduction

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

With the rapid development of the global economy, organic waste is sharply increasing. However, traditional treatment technologies present many issues, such as the low added value of products. Therefore, the development of high value conversion technologies for organic waste is promising. The main purpose of this Special Issue is to report novel technologies and new principles of the high-added-value biotransformation of organic waste via fermentation, or to review the relevant technologies and principles. The scope of this special issue mainly includes anaerobic or aerobic fermentation of organic waste to produce high-value-added products, including volatile fatty acids, medium chain fatty acids, polyhydroxyalkanoates, etc.

Prof. Dr. Hongbo Liu
Dr. Hongxiao Guo
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 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 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
  • organic waste
  • sewage sludge
  • food waste
  • algae
  • agricultural straw
  • brewery wastewater
  • food wastewater
  • slaughterhouse wastewater
  • volatile fatty acids
  • medium-chain fatty acids
  • polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHA)

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Published Papers (7 papers)

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Research

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12 pages, 709 KiB  
Article
Unlocking the Potential of Pomelo Albedo: A Novel Substrate for Alpha-Amylase Production Using Bacillus licheniformis
by Thi Ngoc Tran, Si-Chun Chen, Chien Thang Doan and San-Lang Wang
Fermentation 2025, 11(6), 336; https://doi.org/10.3390/fermentation11060336 - 11 Jun 2025
Viewed by 488
Abstract
The bioprocessing of agricultural wastes to produce microbial enzymes has become significant due to its benefits in reducing enzyme production costs and improving waste management. In this study, various substrates, including spent coffee grounds, coffee husks, coffee pulp, rice husks, rice bran, pomelo [...] Read more.
The bioprocessing of agricultural wastes to produce microbial enzymes has become significant due to its benefits in reducing enzyme production costs and improving waste management. In this study, various substrates, including spent coffee grounds, coffee husks, coffee pulp, rice husks, rice bran, pomelo albedo, pomelo flavedo, orange peel, banana peel, sugarcane bagasse, and starch, were used as organic nutrient sources for α-amylase biosynthesis by B. licheniformis TKU004. Among the tested substrates, pomelo albedo (3%, w/v) was the most suitable carbon source for amylase production, with a productivity of 80.645 U/mL. The purification process resulted in a 60 kDa amylase. The protein identification of B. licheniformis TKU004 amylase revealed a coverage rate of 39% with α-amylase from Bacillus subtilis 168. B. licheniformis TKU004 amylase exhibited optimal activity at 60 °C and pH = 7 and showed a high compatibility with EDTA (Ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid). HPLC (high-performance liquid chromatography) analysis demonstrated that B. licheniformis TKU004 amylase is an α-amylase with the final products of maltobiose, maltose, and glucose. Due to its important properties, such as tolerance to EDTA, B. licheniformis TKU 004 amylase may be valuable for industrial applications, especially in detergents and food processing. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Fermentation of Organic Waste for High-Value-Added Product Production)
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14 pages, 1109 KiB  
Article
Sustainable Production of Medium-Chain Fatty Acids from Fresh Leachates in the District of Abidjan: Study of the Feasibility of the Process and Environmental Benefits
by Akeyt Richmond Hervé Koffi, Alessio Campitelli, Daniel Stanojkovski, Edi Guy-Alain Serges Yapo, Alane Romaric N’guessan, Franck Orlando Yebouet and N’Dédé Théodore Djeni
Fermentation 2025, 11(6), 330; https://doi.org/10.3390/fermentation11060330 - 8 Jun 2025
Viewed by 484
Abstract
Leachate management remains a major environmental challenge, especially in rapidly urbanizing cities of developing countries. Traditionally considered toxic and useless, it is a sustainable organic resource with the potential for high-value biochemical production through bioprocessing. This study investigated the characteristics of fresh leachates [...] Read more.
Leachate management remains a major environmental challenge, especially in rapidly urbanizing cities of developing countries. Traditionally considered toxic and useless, it is a sustainable organic resource with the potential for high-value biochemical production through bioprocessing. This study investigated the characteristics of fresh leachates from three solid waste transfer stations (SWTS) in the Abidjan district, Côte d’Ivoire, and assessed their potential as substrates for medium-chain fatty acid (MCFA) production via microbial chain elongation. The MCFA synthesis was carried out in anaerobic bioreactors operated under methanogenesis inhibition conditions. The leachates from Bingerville, Abobo-Dokui, and Yopougon exhibited acidic and high organic content, particularly volatile fatty acids (VFAs), key precursors for MCFA synthesis. High concentrations of microbial communities associated with chain elongation were observed, including Clostridium (sulphite-reducing), Lactobacillus, Bacillus, and Pseudomonas (greater than 5 log10 CFU/mL). MCFA production ranged from 5 to 10 g/L, mainly C6, C7, and C8, with compositional variation depending on the SWTS. Notably, leachates from higher-income areas demonstrated higher MCFA productivity compared to those from lower-income areas. These findings highlight the potential of fresh SWTS leachates in the Abidjan district for sustainable MCFA production, paving the way for industrial applications. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Fermentation of Organic Waste for High-Value-Added Product Production)
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14 pages, 883 KiB  
Article
Bioleaching Process of Sewage Sludge and Anaerobically Digested Sludge via Indigenous Sulfur-Oxidizing Bacteria to Improve Dewaterability and Reduce Heavy Metal Content
by Suyun Xu, Yuze Jiang, Ruixiang Zou, Xuefeng Zhu and Hongbo Liu
Fermentation 2025, 11(6), 321; https://doi.org/10.3390/fermentation11060321 - 4 Jun 2025
Viewed by 458
Abstract
This study investigated the role of indigenous inoculum (primarily sulfur-oxidizing Acidithiobacillus thiooxidans and other acidophilic bacteria) in heavy metal removal from sewage sludge (SS) and anaerobic digested sludge (ADS). Four treatments were evaluated: inoculum + elemental sulfur (S/ADS + E), inoculum alone (S/ADS [...] Read more.
This study investigated the role of indigenous inoculum (primarily sulfur-oxidizing Acidithiobacillus thiooxidans and other acidophilic bacteria) in heavy metal removal from sewage sludge (SS) and anaerobic digested sludge (ADS). Four treatments were evaluated: inoculum + elemental sulfur (S/ADS + E), inoculum alone (S/ADS + B), elemental sulfur alone (S/ADS + S), and a control with no additives. After 7 days of bioleaching, SS and ADS exhibited comparable heavy metal removal rates on Ni (92–98%) and Pb (88–92%), which were significantly more mobilized than Cu (30–44%) and Cr (63–73%). After bioleaching treatment, residual metals in both sludge types were predominantly sequestered in the oxidizable (F3) and residual (F4) fractions, markedly reducing their environmental mobility and pollution risk during land application. The dewaterability performance, assessed via capillary suction time (CST), reached the optimal values in S + E and ADS + E within 24–48 h, after which CST increased alongside rising extracellular polymeric substances and dissolved organic carbon. While the S/ADS + B configuration exhibited marginally reduced Cu, Ni, and Pb removal efficiencies relative to S/ADS + E, it demonstrated superior dewaterability characteristics under equivalent reaction durations. These results suggest that limiting the sulfur (S0) supply to moderate the growth and activity of autotrophic A. thiooxidans can maintain the bioleaching pH within 2.0–3.0, striking a balance between effective heavy metal removal and favorable dewatering performance. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Fermentation of Organic Waste for High-Value-Added Product Production)
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16 pages, 3833 KiB  
Article
Sequential Solid-State and Submerged Fermentation to Increase Yarrowia lipolytica Lipase Production from Palm Oil Production Chain By-Products
by Camila P. L. Souza, Adejanildo da S. Pereira, Érika C. G. Aguieiras and Priscilla F. F. Amaral
Fermentation 2025, 11(1), 3; https://doi.org/10.3390/fermentation11010003 - 24 Dec 2024
Viewed by 1033
Abstract
This study investigates the potential of sequential solid-state and submerged fermentation (SeqF) to enhance lipase production by Yarrowia lipolytica using by-products from the palm oil production chain. Palm fiber and palm oil deodorizer distillate (PODD) were utilized as substrates in both fermentation stages. [...] Read more.
This study investigates the potential of sequential solid-state and submerged fermentation (SeqF) to enhance lipase production by Yarrowia lipolytica using by-products from the palm oil production chain. Palm fiber and palm oil deodorizer distillate (PODD) were utilized as substrates in both fermentation stages. Solid-state fermentation (SSF) yielded significant lipase activity when palm fiber was used alone (1.55 U/g in 48 h), while submerged fermentation (SmF) showed improved enzymatic production with the combination of fiber and PODD (1171 U/L in 72 h). The integration of SSF and SmF in SeqF achieved superior lipase activities, reaching 4464.5 U/L, an 8.3-fold increase compared to SmF alone, in Erlenmeyer flasks. SeqF-lyophilized biocatalysts from Erlenmeyer experiments showed better hydrolytic activity (131 U/g) when the best conditions were reproduced in a 4 L bioreactor (33 U/g). The SeqF-lyophilized biocatalyst was employed in esterification reactions to synthesize mono- and diacylglycerols, achieving a 24.3% conversion rate. The study highlights SeqF as a promising and sustainable approach for valorizing agro-industrial residues, contributing to biocatalyst production and advancing circular bioeconomy initiatives. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Fermentation of Organic Waste for High-Value-Added Product Production)
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16 pages, 5711 KiB  
Article
Biomass Accumulation, Contaminant Removal, and Settling Performance of Chlorella sp. in Unsterilized and Diluted Anaerobic Digestion Effluent
by Canbo Wang, Qi Zhang, Zhiqiang Gu, Longfei Zhang, Rumeng Lu, Cuixia Liu and Yuhuan Liu
Fermentation 2024, 10(11), 577; https://doi.org/10.3390/fermentation10110577 - 11 Nov 2024
Viewed by 2129
Abstract
Microalgae demonstrate significant efficacy in wastewater treatment. Anaerobic digestion effluent (ADE) is regarded as an underutilized resource, abundant in carbon, nitrogen, phosphorus, and other nutrients; however, the presence of inhibitory factors restricts microalgal growth, thereby preventing its direct treatment via microalgae. The purpose [...] Read more.
Microalgae demonstrate significant efficacy in wastewater treatment. Anaerobic digestion effluent (ADE) is regarded as an underutilized resource, abundant in carbon, nitrogen, phosphorus, and other nutrients; however, the presence of inhibitory factors restricts microalgal growth, thereby preventing its direct treatment via microalgae. The purpose of this study was to dilute ADE using various dilution media and subsequently cultivate Chlorella sp. to identify optimal culture conditions that enhance microalgal biomass and water quality. The effects of various dilution conditions were assessed by evaluating the biomass, sedimentation properties, and nutrient removal efficiencies of microalgae. The results demonstrate that microalgal biomass increases as the dilution ratio increased. The microalgae biomass in the treatments diluted with simulated wastewater was significantly higher than that with deionized water, but their effluent quality failed to meet discharge standards. The treatment diluted with deionized water for 10 times exhibited abundant microbial biomass with strong antioxidant properties. The corresponding total phosphorus concentration in the effluent (6.96 mg/L) adhered to emission limits under the Livestock and Poultry Industry Pollutant Emission Standards (8 mg/L), while ammonia nitrogen concentration (90 mg/L) was near compliance (80 mg/L). The corresponding microbial biomass, with a sludge volume index (SVI30) of 72.72 mL/g, can be recovered economically and efficiently by simple precipitation. Its high protein (52.07%) and carbohydrate (27.05%) content, coupled with low ash (10.75%), makes it a promising candidate for animal feed and fermentation. This study will aid in understanding microalgal growth in unsterilized ADE and establish a theoretical foundation for cost-effective ADE purification and microalgal biomass production. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Fermentation of Organic Waste for High-Value-Added Product Production)
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31 pages, 11138 KiB  
Article
Technical and Economic Analyses for the Implementation of a Biohydrogen Production System Using Bioelectricity from Vinasse Biogas of the Sugarcane and Alcohol Industry
by Germán Darío Picón Lescano, Regina Franciélle Silva Paulino, José Marcelo de Assis Wendling Júnior, Celso Eduardo Tuna and José Luz Silveira
Fermentation 2024, 10(11), 564; https://doi.org/10.3390/fermentation10110564 - 5 Nov 2024
Viewed by 1485
Abstract
This paper studies the implementation of a system consisting of an electrolyzer connected to a bioelectricity generator set that operates using vinasse biogas. Data on total ethanol production across all regions of Brazil were collected, and two ethanol plants in São Paulo state [...] Read more.
This paper studies the implementation of a system consisting of an electrolyzer connected to a bioelectricity generator set that operates using vinasse biogas. Data on total ethanol production across all regions of Brazil were collected, and two ethanol plants in São Paulo state were selected for analysis (São Jose da Estiva and São Manoel). The feasibility of implementing this system at these facilities was evaluated using energy analysis for biohydrogen production. The process’s energy efficiency was assessed, allowing for the construction of a Sankey Diagram for both plants. Additionally, the costs of producing bioelectricity and biohydrogen via electrolysis using vinasse biogas from Brazil’s sugar/alcohol industry were determined, factoring in the payback period, equivalent utilization period, and annual interest rate. The study demonstrates the efficiency and cost-effectiveness of producing biohydrogen using vinasse biogas. The cost of producing bioelectricity at the two plants decreases significantly over the 25-year system implementation period, starting at around 0.09–0.08 USD/kWh in the first year and dropping to a minimum of 0.027–0.039 USD/kWh by the end of the period. The initial cost of producing biohydrogen ranges from 0.24 to 0.25 USD/kWh at São Jose da Estiva and from 0.30 to 0.32 USD/kWh at São Manoel in the first year. However, prices drop by nearly half in the second year, reaching 0.05 to 0.06 USD/kWh at São Jose da Estiva and 0.06 to 0.07 USD/kWh at São Manoel. The payback period for the biohydrogen and bioelectricity production system increases, with São Jose da Estiva generating income by 1st year for a 4% to 12% interest rate. For São Manoel, income is expected by the 1.5 year for a 4% to 12% interest rate. Both plants recover their investment within the first 2 years of operation. By the 10th year, São Jose da Estiva’s income is projected to be between 3,888,501.96 USD (4%) and 3,678,407.29 USD (12%), while São Manoel’s income is expected to range from 3,123,824.69 USD (4%) to 2,932,050.63 USD (12%), demonstrating that the system is viable for sugar and ethanol plants. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Fermentation of Organic Waste for High-Value-Added Product Production)
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Review

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15 pages, 302 KiB  
Review
Ensiling of High-Moisture Plant By-Products: Fermentation Quality, Nutritional Values, and Animal Performance
by Bhutikini D. Nkosi, Ingrid M. M. Malebana, Sergio Á. Rios, Thobela T. Nkukwana and Robin Meeske
Fermentation 2024, 10(8), 426; https://doi.org/10.3390/fermentation10080426 - 16 Aug 2024
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 2182
Abstract
Animal feeds under ruminant production are a challenge, and ruminants are mostly fed on fibrous plants including high-moisture plant by-products (HMPBs). These HMPBs are available during the food processing periods and cannot be fed entirely in their fresh form. These resources are conserved [...] Read more.
Animal feeds under ruminant production are a challenge, and ruminants are mostly fed on fibrous plants including high-moisture plant by-products (HMPBs). These HMPBs are available during the food processing periods and cannot be fed entirely in their fresh form. These resources are conserved in the form of silage for future feeding. Silage-making entails the anaerobic preservation of forages with the aid of additives that reduce the pH of the ensiled materials and preserve the forage. Most silage research work focuses mainly on the preservation of forages/plants, with less attention on HMPBs. This review focuses on the silage production from HMPBs (e.g., pulps/pomaces), challenges involved in the ensiling of these resources, use of additives (e.g., chemical additives), and growth performance of ruminants fed silage from these resources. This review will assist farmers from developing countries who rely on HMPBs as sources of animal feed. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Fermentation of Organic Waste for High-Value-Added Product Production)
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