Renewable resources for biorefineries

Carlos Ortega

doi:10.1515/gps-2015-0008

Artikel Open Access

Renewable resources for biorefineries

Carlos Ortega

Veröffentlicht/Copyright: 11. März 2015

Veröffentlicht von

Veröffentlichen auch Sie bei De Gruyter Brill

Manuskript einreichen Informationen für Autor*innen

Aus der Zeitschrift Green Processing and Synthesis Band 4 Heft 2

Reviewed Publication:

Ki Lin Carol Sze Luque Rafael RSC Publishing 2014 Hardcover, 216 pp. RSC Green Chemistry 27 £120.00 Print ISBN: 978-1-84973-898-9 PDF eISBN: 978-1-78262-018-1 EPUB eISBN: 978-1-78262-291-8

Renewable resources for biorefineries, edited by Carol Lin and Rafael Luque, provides an overview of a bio-based economy discussing a wide range of topics from raw materials to waste valorization and production of high value chemicals.

In the first chapter the authors focus on two topics: 1) direct production of biopolymers, e.g., from polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHAs) and poly/oligo-saccharides; and 2) production of bio-based monomers, e.g., lactic acid for the synthesis of polylactic acid (PLA), for further polymerization.

Then, in chapter 2 the authors describe the fundamentals of biotechnological downstream processing (DSP), which involves biomass/product separation, product purification and its sale. Descriptions of DSP for the recovery of PHAs and PLA are included, which complements the explanation of their production given in the first chapter.

Degradation of biomass by polysaccharide monooxygenases (PMOs) and the synergy that PMOs and cellulases form for (lingo)cellulose conversion is discussed in chapter 3. The authors conclude that PMOs probably act via a mechanism of oxidative cleavage which loosens the crystal packing of the substrate facilitating cellulases’ attack.

An overview of microalgae-based technology is given in chapter 4, where the authors discuss three main topics: 1) microalgae cultivation; 2) processing, from harvesting to oil transesterification; and 3) process economics. The authors highlight that one big advantage of microalgae biomass is that this material does not compete with food for arable lands. Thus, they are a promising source of carbon base materials. The authors indicate that the overall cost of oil production from microalgae is very high, $12.73, and substantial reduction of its cost is required, in order to make it competitive.

Valorization technologies of food waste is addressed in chapter 5, taking Hong Kong as a case study. The authors conclude that recycling of food waste is essential and, as is usually the case for bioprocesses, there is not a single technological solution, but a combination of them, together with improved collection of waste and separation at the source.

The production of bioethanol from edible materials (first regeneration) and inedible materials (advanced generation). In particular, the authors provide an interesting comparison between first and advance generation of bioethanol production process, with focus on the additional steps that the advance process (from lignocellulosic biomass) requires.

The production of high value chemicals from biomass is presented in chapter 7. The authors address this topic taking into account the three main components of biomass, i.e., cellulose, hemicellulose and lignin. Also a brief description of biomass separation methods is given, considering that this stage is fundamental for the production of the final products.

Finally, in chapter 8 the authors present a brief summary of active compounds that can be obtained from biomass and present a case study based on tabacco waste. The authors show that tabacco’s active compounds are of great interest for the food, cosmetics and pharmaceutical industries.

In conclusion, the authors succeed in providing a comprehensive and thought-provoking overview of a bio-based economy and its main challenges. Though the information presented in each topic is brief, the content is comprehensive, well-structured, with interwoven ideas in different chapters that makes the reading complete and interesting. Additionally, all the information is well documented with several references, that allow the reader to deepen their understanding in any specific topic. Therefore, I recommend the book for upper level undergraduate students and postgraduate programs.

Published Online: 2015-3-11

Published in Print: 2015-4-1

This article is distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution Non-Commercial License, which permits unrestricted non-commercial use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.

Artikel in diesem Heft

https://doi.org/10.1515/gps-2015-0008

Creative Commons

BY-NC-ND 3.0