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Sustainable Biotechnology Approaches: Bioprospecting Nature for a Thriving Bioeconomy

A special issue of Sustainability (ISSN 2071-1050). This special issue belongs to the section "Bioeconomy of Sustainability".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (31 July 2025) | Viewed by 4834

Special Issue Editors


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Guest Editor
Laboratory of Yeast Biochemistry, Federal University of Fronteira Sul, Chapecó 89815-899, SC, Brazil
Interests: yeast biochemistry; biodiversity; bioprospection; and biotechnology; fermentation; bioprocesses; biorefineries
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Laboratory of Microbiology and Bioprocess, Federal University of Fronteira Sul, Erechim 99700-740, RS, Brazil
Interests: fermentation; bioprocesses; and biorefineries. enzymes; biofuels and bioinsumes

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

With this Special Issue, we aim to address the most significant studies on bioprospecting and sustainable bioprocesses. We are convinced that the so-long-expected green revolution relies on the biotechnological potential of biodiversity. For bioeconomy to become a reality, it is imperative to preserve natural environments and to go deep into the ecology, biochemistry, and physiology of microbes, plants, and animals in their own ecosystems. Accordingly, studies on new or little-known species are of particular importance. Furthermore, it is worth noting that biorefineries emerge in this scenario as prodigious solutions for the transformation of wastes into value-added products, employing nature-isolated microorganisms and allowing circular economy to benefit from biodiversity.

We welcome submissions of original research and review papers that fit into, but are not restricted to, the following topics:

  1. Microbial biodiversity;
  2. Biotechnological potential of indigenous microorganisms;
  • Plants, natural products, and bioactive compounds;
  1. Searching for new molecules in wild animals;
  2. Employing wild microorganisms and wastes with a circular economy perspective;
  3. Biorefinery processes carried out with nature-isolated microorganisms.

We invite researchers from distinct fields to contribute a manuscript to this Special Issue, hoping to delivery a robust set of articles that increase the knowledge on sustainable approaches.

Prof. Dr. Sérgio Luiz Alves
Prof. Dr. Helen Treichel
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. Sustainability is an international peer-reviewed open access semimonthly 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

  • bioactive compounds
  • biodiversity
  • bioeconomy
  • bioprospection
  • biorefinery
  • biotechnology
  • indigenous microorganisms
  • natural environment
  • natural products
  • sustainability

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Published Papers (3 papers)

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Research

17 pages, 927 KB  
Article
Gas Substrate Effects on Hydrogenotrophic Biomethanation in Flocculent and Granular Sludge Systems
by Sıdıka Tuğçe Kalkan
Sustainability 2025, 17(17), 7667; https://doi.org/10.3390/su17177667 (registering DOI) - 25 Aug 2025
Abstract
The biotechnological conversion of CO2 to biomethane represents an energy-efficient, environmentally friendly, and sustainable approach within the waste-to-energy cycle. This process, in which CO2 and H2 are converted to biomethane in anaerobic bioreactors, is referred to as hydrogenotrophic biomethane production. [...] Read more.
The biotechnological conversion of CO2 to biomethane represents an energy-efficient, environmentally friendly, and sustainable approach within the waste-to-energy cycle. This process, in which CO2 and H2 are converted to biomethane in anaerobic bioreactors, is referred to as hydrogenotrophic biomethane production. While several studies have investigated hydrogenotrophic biomethane production, there is a lack of research comparing flocculent and granular sludge inoculum in continuously operated systems fed with a gas substrate. Both granular and flocculent sludge possess distinct advantages: granular sludge offers higher density, stronger microbial cohesion, and superior settling performance, whereas flocculent sludge provides faster substrate accessibility and more rapid initial microbial activity. In this study, two UASB (Upflow Anaerobic Sludge Blanket) reactors operated under mesophilic conditions were continuously fed with synthetic off-gas composed of pure H2 and CO2 in a 4:1 ratio and were compared in terms of microbial community shifts and their effects on hydrogenotrophic biomethane production. Biomethane production reached 75 ± 2% in the granular sludge reactor, significantly higher than the 64 ± 1.3% obtained with flocculent sludge. Although hydrogen consumption did not differ significantly, the granular sludge reactor exhibited higher CO2 removal efficiency. Microbial analyses further revealed that granular sludge was more effective in supporting methanogenic archaea under conditions of gas substrate feeding. These findings offer advantageous suggestions for improving biogas production, enhancing waste gas management, and advancing sustainable energy generation. Full article
21 pages, 3175 KB  
Article
Bio-Hybrid Films from Chirich Tuber Starch: A Sustainable Approach with Machine Learning-Driven Optimization
by Eyyup Karaogul, Gencay Sarıışık and Ahmet Sabri Öğütlü
Sustainability 2025, 17(5), 1935; https://doi.org/10.3390/su17051935 - 24 Feb 2025
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1076
Abstract
This study investigates the potential of Chirich (Asphodelus aestivus) tuber, one of Turkey’s natural resources, for sustainable bio-hybrid film production. Bio-hybrid films developed from Chirich tuber starch in composite form with polyvinyl alcohol (PVOH) were thoroughly examined for their physical, mechanical, [...] Read more.
This study investigates the potential of Chirich (Asphodelus aestivus) tuber, one of Turkey’s natural resources, for sustainable bio-hybrid film production. Bio-hybrid films developed from Chirich tuber starch in composite form with polyvinyl alcohol (PVOH) were thoroughly examined for their physical, mechanical, and barrier properties. During the production process, twin-screw extrusion and hydraulic hot pressing methods were employed; the films’ optical, chemical, and barrier performances were analyzed through FT-IR spectroscopy, water vapor permeability, solubility, and mechanical tests. To evaluate the films’ durability against environmental factors and model their properties, advanced computational model algorithms such as Gradient Boosting Regression (GBR), Random Forest Regression (RFR), and AdaBoost Regression (ABR) were utilized. The results showed that the GBR algorithm achieved the highest accuracy with 99.92% R2 and presented the most robust model in terms of sensitivity to environmental factors. The results indicate that Chirich tuber-based bio-hybrid films exhibit significantly enhanced mechanical strength and barrier performance compared to conventional corn starch-based biodegradable polymers. These superior properties make them particularly suitable for industrial applications such as food packaging and medical materials, where durability, moisture resistance, and gas barrier characteristics are critical. Moreover, their biodegradability and potential for integration into circular economy frameworks underscore their environmental sustainability, offering a viable alternative to petroleum-derived plastics. The incorporation of ML-driven optimization not only facilitates precise property prediction but also enhances the scalability of bio-hybrid film production. By introducing an innovative, data-driven approach to sustainable material design, this study contributes to the advancement of bio-based polymers in industrial applications, supporting global efforts to mitigate plastic waste and promote environmentally responsible manufacturing practices. Full article
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13 pages, 6215 KB  
Article
Reducing Washout of Proteins from Defatted Soybean Flakes by Alkaline Extraction: Fractioning and Characterization
by Giovana Wittmann, Lovaine Silva Duarte, Marco Antônio Záchia Ayub and Daniele Misturini Rossi
Sustainability 2024, 16(14), 6238; https://doi.org/10.3390/su16146238 - 22 Jul 2024
Viewed by 2251
Abstract
Human health, sustainable development, numerous environmental issues, and animal welfare are increasingly driving research and development of plant-based protein products that can serve as meat substitutes. This trend is expected to continue in the coming years due to growing consumer awareness, with people [...] Read more.
Human health, sustainable development, numerous environmental issues, and animal welfare are increasingly driving research and development of plant-based protein products that can serve as meat substitutes. This trend is expected to continue in the coming years due to growing consumer awareness, with people gradually shifting from animal-based foods to more sustainable plant-based options. Soy proteins are a valuable source of plant proteins and are widely used in human and animal diets due to their nutritional value and health benefits. In this study, soybean protein extraction by two methods was compared: water extraction (lower salt content) and Tris-HCl extraction (higher salt content), aiming to characterize the resulting protein fractions. These fractions were studied using differential precipitation based on the isoelectric point. Protein identification by SDS-PAGE, scanning electron microscopy (SEM) for cellular structure assessment, and Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) were used to determine residual protein left in the solid fraction after extraction using the two methods. Electrophoresis assays revealed the presence of the four main protein fractions (2S, 7S, 11S, and soy whey proteins) in the defatted soybean flakes, establishing the protein profile of Brazilian soybeans and for the two main waste streams of the production process—spent flakes and whey. The separation of fractions was carried out by differential precipitation. FTIR analysis indicated higher residual protein levels in solid residues after the water extraction method compared to the Tris-HCl extraction method. SEM analysis revealed the removal of protein bodies in both extraction methods and the presence of residual oil-containing bodies. Both methodologies are viable alternatives for the industrial separation of soybean protein fractions. Differential precipitation could be implemented to produce isolated products and improve the nutritional profile, increase process yield thus generating less industrial waste and driving the process towards environmental sustainability. Full article
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