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Processes
Special Issues
Thermochemical Conversion of Agricultural and Food Processing Waste
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Thermochemical Conversion of Agricultural and Food Processing Waste

A special issue of Processes (ISSN 2227-9717). This special issue belongs to the section "Food Process Engineering".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (15 March 2025) | Viewed by 7542

Special Issue Editors

Dr. Zorica Lopičić

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Institute for Technology of Nuclear and Other Mineral Raw Materials (ITNMS), 86 Franchet d'Esperey Boulevard, 11000 Belgrade, Serbia
Interests: waste biomass; thermochemical conversion; biofuels; sorption; chemical engineering
Prof. Dr. Mirjana Kijevcanin

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Faculty of Technology and Metallurgy, University of Belgrade, Belgrade, Serbia
Interests: energy conversion; heat and process integration; thermodynamics; biofuels
Dr. Tatjana Šoštarić

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Institute for Technology of Nuclear and Other Mineral Raw Materials (ITNMS), 86 Franchet d'Esperey Boulevard, 11000 Belgrade, Serbia
Interests: food processing waste; biochar; biosorbents; remediation

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

The era of population growth and resources depletion has brought serious environmental threats that reflect on every aspect of human life. The global demand for food is continuously increasing, making food processing industries one of the fastest growing industry sectors in the world. Along with this, significant amounts of waste are generated. This kind of waste is, in most cases, landfilled, representing an unsustainable practice with significant environmental hazards. The complex structure of agricultural and food processing waste allows it to be converted into carbon-rich materials with multi-scale applications, ensuring carbon sequestering and reducing GHG emissions. Therefore, it is necessary to apply solutions based on a circular (bio)economy which might offer tools in approaching a sustainable future. One of the possible solutions is the application of thermochemical conversion in order to yield efficient materials with diverse functions such as biofuels, chemicals, sorbents, fertilizers, etc.

The scope of this Special Issue is to collect and present new findings in the development of carbonaceous materials from agricultural and food processing wastes, which are obtained via thermochemical conversion of raw waste biomass. The focus of these findings is related to thermochemical techniques such as torrefaction, pyrolysis, hydrothermal carbonization, steam explosion, etc. used to synthesize and functionalize the carbonaceous materials along with detailed description of the chemical and functional characterization induced by this conversion.

The Special Issue, “Thermochemical Conversion of Agricultural and Food Processing Waste”, aims to gather contributions that deal with the following topics:

  • Sustainable development;
  • Environmental protection;
  • Circular economy;
  • Waste management;
  • Renewable energy;
  • Green chemicals.

Dr. Zorica Lopičić
Prof. Dr. Mirjana Kijevcanin
Dr. Tatjana Šoštarić
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. Processes 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 2400 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

  • thermochemical conversion
  • torrefaction
  • pyrolysis
  • hydrothermal conversion
  • biochar
  • hydrochar
  • energy potential
  • soil enrichment
  • sorption
  • degradation
  • nutrients
  • microbiological activity

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

Published Papers (4 papers)

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Research

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15 pages, 698 KiB  
Article
Examination of the Anti-Biofilm Properties of Lignocellulose-Based Activated Carbon from Black Alder for Water Treatment Applications
by Irina Kandić, Milan Kragović, Jelena Gulicovski, Stefana Cvetković, Ana Marinković, Slaviša Stanković and Marija Stojmenović
Processes 2024, 12(11), 2383; https://doi.org/10.3390/pr12112383 - 30 Oct 2024
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1146
Abstract
Nowadays, there is increasing global demand for activated carbon considering its wide usage as an adsorbent of environmental pollutants. Biowaste rich in lignocellulose, like the cone-like flowers of black alder (A_AC), shows promise as a precursor for novel materials. Building upon previous research [...] Read more.
Nowadays, there is increasing global demand for activated carbon considering its wide usage as an adsorbent of environmental pollutants. Biowaste rich in lignocellulose, like the cone-like flowers of black alder (A_AC), shows promise as a precursor for novel materials. Building upon previous research and this material’s established applicability for removing cyanobacteria cells and cyanotoxins from water, this study investigates the CNOHS composition of A_AC and its potential to inhibit biofilm formation. A comprehensive CNOHS analysis showed the material composition as 64.5%, 1.77%, 28.83%, 2.05%, and 0.12% for C, N, O, H, and S respectively. The material’s efficacy in inhibiting biofilm formation across eight selected bacterial strains was evaluated. The results showed biofilm formation rates of 62.6%, 22.1%, 73.8%, 12.1%, 40.9%, 24.2%, 9.2%, and 7.6% for Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Enterobacter cloacae, Salmonella Typhimurium, Proteus mirabilis, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Acinetobacter baumannii, and Enterococcus faecalis, respectively. Biofilm formation is influenced by biotic and abiotic factors, especially the physicochemical properties of the substrate. This study offers insights into the potential of black-alder-derived activated carbon to prevent biofilm formation, highlighting its role in water purification and environmental protection. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Thermochemical Conversion of Agricultural and Food Processing Waste)
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20 pages, 7705 KiB  
Article
Carbonization of Invasive Plant Species—Novel Route for Removal of Active Pharmaceutical Ingredients via Adsorption
by Jevrem Stojanović, Maja Milojević-Rakić, Danica Bajuk-Bogdanović, Dragana Ranđelović, Biljana Otašević, Anđelija Malenović, Aleksandra Janošević Ležaić and Ana Protić
Processes 2024, 12(10), 2149; https://doi.org/10.3390/pr12102149 - 2 Oct 2024
Viewed by 973
Abstract
The development of efficient adsorbents for sustainable adsorption processes is required in environmental studies. Here, we propose using carbonized Ailanthus altissima leaves as a novel adsorbent, derived from invasive species that threaten biodiversity. Biochar was prepared by pyrolysis at 500 °C, activated with [...] Read more.
The development of efficient adsorbents for sustainable adsorption processes is required in environmental studies. Here, we propose using carbonized Ailanthus altissima leaves as a novel adsorbent, derived from invasive species that threaten biodiversity. Biochar was prepared by pyrolysis at 500 °C, activated with ZnCl2 and tested for the target adsorbates—active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs). A range of characterization techniques were employed—FTIR, SEM, XPS and Raman spectroscopy—and the adsorption of representative APIs was analyzed. The adsorption kinetics revealed that the adsorbent reached equilibrium within a 3 h period. The adsorption capacities for the selected model substances ranged from 59 mg g−1 for atenolol to 112 mg g−1 for paracetamol, while the highest values were recorded for ketorolac and tetracycline at over 130 mg g−1. The excellent retention is ascribed to the developed surface area, the availability of oxygen surface functional groups and the aromatization of the biochar. The proposed biochar, which is obtained in a sustainable process, proves to be a highly efficient adsorbent for selected pharmaceuticals. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Thermochemical Conversion of Agricultural and Food Processing Waste)
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15 pages, 2463 KiB  
Article
Efficient Removal of Water Soluble Fraction of Diesel Oil by Biochar Sorption Supported by Microbiological Degradation
by Zorica R. Lopičić, Tatjana D. Šoštarić, Jelena V. Milojković, Anja V. Antanasković, Jelena S. Milić, Snežana D. Spasić and Jelena S. Avdalović
Processes 2024, 12(5), 964; https://doi.org/10.3390/pr12050964 - 9 May 2024
Cited by 4 | Viewed by 1649
Abstract
The contamination of the water bodies by diesel oil (DO) and its water-soluble fraction (WSF) represents one of the most challenging tasks in the management of polluted water streams. This paper contains data related to the synthesis and characteristics of the plum stone [...] Read more.
The contamination of the water bodies by diesel oil (DO) and its water-soluble fraction (WSF) represents one of the most challenging tasks in the management of polluted water streams. This paper contains data related to the synthesis and characteristics of the plum stone biochar material (PmS-B), which was made from waste plum stones (PmS), along with its possible application in the sorption of the WSF of DO from contaminated water. Techniques applied in sample characterisation and comparisons were: Elemental Organic Analysis (EOA), Scanning Electron Microscopy−Energy Dispersive X-ray Spectroscopy (SEM-EDX), Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR), pH (pHsus) and point of zero charge (pHpzc). In order to increase the overall efficiency of the removal process, sorption and bioremediation were subsequently combined. Firstly, PmS-B was used as a sorbent of WSF, and then the remaining solution was additionally treated with a specific consortium of microorganisms. After the first treatment phase, the initial concentration of diesel WSF was reduced by more than 90%, where most of the aromatic components of DO were removed by sorption. The sorption equilibrium results were best fitted by the Sips isotherm model, where the maximum sorption capacity was found to be 40.72 mg/g. The rest of the hydrocarbon components that remained in the solution were further subjected to the biodegradation process by a consortium of microorganisms. Microbial degradation lasted 19 days and reduced the total diesel WSF concentration to 0.46 mg/L. In order to confirm the non-toxicity of the water sample after this two-stage treatment, eco-toxicity tests based on a microbial biosensor (Aliivibrio fischeri) were applied, confirming the high efficiency of the proposed method. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Thermochemical Conversion of Agricultural and Food Processing Waste)
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Review

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24 pages, 2025 KiB  
Review
Management of Agri-Food Waste Based on Thermochemical Processes towards a Circular Bioeconomy Concept: The Case Study of the Portuguese Industry
by Cristina V. Berenguer, Rosa Perestrelo, Jorge A. M. Pereira and José S. Câmara
Processes 2023, 11(10), 2870; https://doi.org/10.3390/pr11102870 - 29 Sep 2023
Cited by 7 | Viewed by 2634
Abstract
Sustainable biomass production has a significant potential for mitigating greenhouse gas emissions, providing an alternative to produce eco-friendly biofuels, biochemicals, and carbonaceous materials for biological, energetic, and environmental applications. Biomass from agroforestry and agricultural wastes is the richest natural carbon source and a [...] Read more.
Sustainable biomass production has a significant potential for mitigating greenhouse gas emissions, providing an alternative to produce eco-friendly biofuels, biochemicals, and carbonaceous materials for biological, energetic, and environmental applications. Biomass from agroforestry and agricultural wastes is the richest natural carbon source and a sustainable option for woody biomass from a circular economic perspective. The European Union (EU) is estimated to produce 1.3 billion tons of agri-food waste annually. Portugal has a large supply of residual biomass, as well as other byproducts and wastes from forestry, agriculture, and the food industry, and has a high availability of residual biomass. By using biomass waste to create high-value products, Portugal envisages an improvement in its economic performance, while reducing its dependence on energy imports and fossil fuel use. This review explores the potential of agri-food waste obtained from Portuguese industries through thermochemical conversion technologies as a promising sustainable substitute for wood-based biomass for the development of eco-friendly biofuels, biochemicals, and high-value carbonaceous materials, and their applications. This strategy, based on the circular bioeconomy concept, can help reduce reliance on fossil fuels, reduce greenhouse gas emissions, fulfil the needs of the growing population, and offer a sustainable waste management solution. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Thermochemical Conversion of Agricultural and Food Processing Waste)
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