Biodiesel Industry Waste: A Potential Source of Bioenergy and Biopolymers

Biodiesel has been recognized as a good source of energy and its production is increasing rapidly. During biodiesel production, effluent containing 70-75 % glycerol is generated, which accounts for 10 % of the total produce. This has led to a scenario where the price of glycerol has declined dramatically and its disposal is becoming uneconomical. Recent efforts to extend the biotechnological applications of glycerol for producing hydrogen and polyhydroxyalkanoates have been quite encouraging. Bacillus spp. are among those few organisms, which have the potential to metabolize glycerol to produce energy and biopolymers. Bacillus may thus be recognized as the Power-Horse of the future.