Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Thierry Ribeiro, Laura Andre, Xiaojun Liu, Mael Mercier-Huat, Joseph Fayolle, Jean-Marie Grosmaitre, Andre Pauss
Summary: In the anaerobic digestion field, the dry matter and organic matter contents of samples are crucial for the design, operation, and maintenance of biogas plants. Volatile compounds can distort dry matter measurements, while the partial decomposition of bicarbonate in the digestion media leads to an underestimation of dry matter measurements. These factors have significant implications for accurate data assessment and balance.
APPLIED SCIENCES-BASEL
(2022)
Review
Agricultural Engineering
Siran Feng, Huu Hao Ngo, Wenshan Guo, Soon Woong Chang, Dinh Duc Nguyen, Yi Liu, Shicheng Zhang, Hoang Nhat Phong Vo, Xuan Thanh Bui, Bich Ngoc Hoang
Summary: This review provides an overview of the roles and applications of enzymes in volatile fatty acids production, as well as feasible measures to enhance enzyme processes. It critically evaluates the major obstacles and possible future research directions for the better utilization of enzymatic processes in promoting volatile fatty acids production from wastewater.
BIORESOURCE TECHNOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Farokh Laqa Kakar, Steven N. Liss, Elsayed Elbeshbishy
Summary: This study investigated the impact of solid sludge content concentrations on hydrothermal pretreatment before fermentation and anaerobic digestion. The results showed that combining supernatant with a certain concentration of solid sludge content led to higher overall efficiency. However, the optimal concentration and the type of products obtained varied in different scenarios.
Article
Thermodynamics
Benyi Xiao, Xinyi Tang, Wenzhe Zhang, Ke Zhang, Tang Yang, Yunping Han, Junxin Liu
Summary: Increasing the rice straw ratio reduced biogas and methane production, and affected the characteristics of the digestate. The impact of the rice straw ratio on methane production was slightly different between mesophilic and thermophilic Co-ADs.
Review
Agricultural Engineering
Kunwar Paritosh, Monika Yadav, Nupur Kesharwani, Nidhi Pareek, Obulisamy Parthiba Karthyikeyan, Venkatesh Balan, Vivekanand Vivekanand
Summary: Solid state anaerobic digestion (SSAD) of lignocellulosic biomass offers advantages over liquid state anaerobic digestion (LSAD) in terms of higher organic loading rates, lower energy demand, and higher methane productivity. However, challenges such as carbon to nitrogen ratio imbalance and nutrient balance need to be addressed through pretreatment procedures and additives. Leachate recirculation can also impact SSAD of agricultural stubbles.
BIORESOURCE TECHNOLOGY
(2021)
Review
Environmental Sciences
Ashutosh Kumar Pandey, S. Pilli, P. Bhunia, R. D. Tyagi, Y. Rao Surampalli, C. Tian Zhang, Sang-Hyoun Kim, Ashok Pandey
Summary: VFAs are the building blocks of the chemical industry and play a key role in the planet's organic carbon cycle. To address the issues of unsustainable VFA production from fossil fuels, it is crucial to develop alternate sources through anaerobic digestion. By researching accessible feedstocks, influencing parameters, and utilizing VFAs to create consumer products, economic stability can be achieved through traditional and advanced production methods.
Article
Environmental Sciences
Hao Sun, Mingyi Xu, Shubiao Wu, Renjie Dong, Irini Angelidaki, Yifeng Zhang
Summary: An innovative dual-chamber air-cathode microbial fuel cell was developed as a biosensor for volatile fatty acids (VFA) monitoring. The response of the biosensor was nonlinear, but linear at low concentrations, with high bicarbonate concentrations decreasing the voltage. Stirring speeded up the response but also reduced the detection range, and the biosensor was validated in monitoring VFA concentrations in AD effluents.
Article
Agricultural Engineering
Umarin Jomnonkhaow, Clarisse Uwineza, Amir Mahboubi, Steven Wainaina, Alissara Reungsang, Mohammad J. Taherzadeh
Summary: Cow manure has long been seen as a waste management challenge, but its organic content presents opportunities for producing value-added bioproducts like VFAs through anaerobic digestion. This study applied thermal pretreatment to inhibit methanogens and utilized an immersed membrane bioreactor for in situ recovery of VFAs, achieving stable long-term production and recovery.
BIORESOURCE TECHNOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Junkai Hu, Yongde Liu, Xue Song, Jihong Zhao, Qiaochong He
Summary: This study investigated the potential of using Brassica chinensis waste (BCW) for anaerobic fermentative production of volatile fatty acids (VFA). The results showed that stacking time, initial pH, inoculum dose, and temperature all had significant effects on VFA yield and the microbial community structure. Stacking BCW for 3 days resulted in the highest VFA yield of 187.79 mgCOD/gVS. VFA production was inhibited under acidic and alkaline conditions, and the optimal inoculum dose was found to be 2 gTS/L. Firmicutes and Proteobacteria were identified as the dominant microorganisms involved in the acid production step of hydrolysis in anaerobic fermentation.
JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL CHEMICAL ENGINEERING
(2022)
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Chao Liu, Yinguang Chen, Haining Huang, Xu Duan, Lei Dong
Summary: This study reported a new strategy for improving anaerobic digestion (AD) performance under ammonia pressure by regulating the microbiome and enzymes to enhance volatile fatty acids (VFAs) bioconversion. The addition of glutathione significantly increased methane yield and enhanced bioconversion and cell viability under ammonia stress. Metagenomic and metaproteomic analyses revealed that key microbiota and vital proteins involved in enzyme synthesis and catalysis were enriched in the presence of glutathione. The findings suggest that glutathione plays a role in regulating functional microbiome and enzyme activity, offering an alternative approach for improving AD performance under high ammonia conditions.
CHEMICAL ENGINEERING JOURNAL
(2022)
Review
Environmental Sciences
Sagarika Mothe, Venkateswara Rao Polisetty
Summary: This paper discusses the environmental and health hazards caused by burning rice straw waste, and proposes anaerobic digestion into biomethane gas and digestate as an effective technology. Co-digestion of rice straw with nitrogen-rich substrates is proven to balance the carbon to nitrogen ratio and increase biomethane yield.
ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND POLLUTION RESEARCH
(2021)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Kasra Khatami, Merve Atasoy, Maximilian Ludtke, Christian Baresel, Ozge Eyice, Zeynep Cetecioglu
Summary: The study investigated the impact of different sludge inoculums, pH levels, and retention times on the generation of VFAs during anaerobic digestion of food waste. Acetic acid was the dominant product under alkaline conditions, while propionic and acetic acids were dominant under acidic conditions.
Article
Energy & Fuels
Mukesh Kumar Awasthi, Lukitawesa Lukitawesa, Yumin Duan, Mohammad J. Taherzadeh, Zengqiang Zhang
Summary: In this study, the bacterial community in anaerobic digestion of citrus wastes inoculated with sludge was evaluated, revealing that key bacteria associated with volatile fatty acids (VFAs) production mainly belonged to Firmicutes, Bacteroidetes, and Actinobacteria. The study also observed changes in bacterial diversity among different treatment groups during the anaerobic digestion process.
Article
Green & Sustainable Science & Technology
Haomin Zheng, Fangyi Tang, Yunqin Lin, Zhiyong Xu, Zenghua Xie, Jun Tian
Summary: Solid-state anaerobic digestion (SSAD) is a key technology for utilizing agricultural waste. In this study, swine manure digested effluent (SMDE) was used to pretreat rice straw, resulting in improved biodegradability and methane production in the subsequent SSAD process. This integrated approach has the potential for large-scale trials and wide applications in the future.
JOURNAL OF CLEANER PRODUCTION
(2022)
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Huda Al Battashi, Shatha Al-Kindi, Vijai Kumar Gupta, Nallusamy Sivakumar
Summary: The study demonstrated that utilizing waste paper as a resource for PHA production through anaerobic digestion is a low-cost strategy. By optimizing the synthesis conditions of PHA from VFAs produced from waste paper, a significantly higher yield of PHA was achieved with a limited nutrient medium.
JOURNAL OF POLYMERS AND THE ENVIRONMENT
(2021)
Review
Microbiology
Hans-Curt Flemming, Eric D. van Hullebusch, Thomas R. Neu, Per H. Nielsen, Thomas Seviour, Paul Stoodley, Jost Wingender, Stefan Wuertz
Summary: In this review, the authors revisit the understanding of the biofilm matrix and discuss the diversity of its components and the novel aspects of their functional interactions. The biofilm matrix plays a crucial role in stabilizing microbial cells and fulfilling various functions. It is dynamic and influenced by physico-chemical and biological interactions as well as environmental conditions.
NATURE REVIEWS MICROBIOLOGY
(2023)
Review
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
Marica Areniello, Silvio Matassa, Giovanni Esposito, Piet N. L. Lens
Summary: Securing a sustainable protein supply is a major challenge for humanity, and alternative protein sources like microbial protein (MP) offer innovative circular bioeconomy practices. In this review, the authors analyze waste recovery platforms for second-generation MP production and evaluate the potential of mixed culture-based MP fermentation processes.
TRENDS IN BIOTECHNOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Simone Pau, Lea Chua Tan, Sonia Lorena Arriaga Garcia, Piet N. L. Lens
Summary: Food waste generation is a major environmental concern, and lactic acid has gained attention for its role in biopolymer production. This study investigated the effects of thermal and ultrasonic pretreatment on solubilization rates and lactic acid yields. Ultrasonic pretreatment increased solubility, but reduced lactic acid concentrations and yields after fermentation. Thermal pretreatment, on the other hand, increased lactic acid concentrations and yields.
WASTE MANAGEMENT & RESEARCH
(2023)
Article
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
Yaxue He, Chiara Cassarini, Piet N. L. Lens
Summary: An anaerobic granular sludge capable of utilizing H2/CO2 to produce organic acids and alcohols was enriched in a continuous gas-fed up-flow anaerobic sludge reactor. Three fermentation stages were identified, and exogenous acetate was found to enhance the consumption of H2 and CO2. However, the enriched acetogens were unable to convert acetate to ethanol.
ENGINEERING IN LIFE SCIENCES
(2023)
Article
Metallurgy & Metallurgical Engineering
Arindam Sinharoy, Piet N. L. Lens
Summary: This study investigated the simultaneous removal of indium (In(III)) and selenium oxyanions (Se(IV) and Se(VI)) using anaerobic granular sludge. The results showed that the indium removal efficiency was consistently high (>95%), while the removal values for selenite (78.9-98.2%) were much higher than for selenate (15.5-70.0%) in the absence of indium. However, the presence of indium significantly improved the removal efficiency of both selenite and selenate (up to 96-98%).
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Sunanda Mishra, Shreya Ghosh, Eric D. D. van Hullebusch, Shikha Singh, Alok Prasad Das
Summary: Pollution caused by end-of-life electronics is a rapidly increasing threat and a global concern. Improper disposal of electronic wastes can have hazardous effects on living organisms and ecosystems. Bioleaching, as an eco-friendly technique, is a cost-effective and efficient method for recycling valuable elements from electronic waste.
APPLIED BIOCHEMISTRY AND BIOTECHNOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
Maria F. F. Carboni, Sonia Arriaga, Piet N. L. Lens
Summary: This study investigated the effect of copper, arsenic, and nickel impurities on autotrophic denitrification mediated by pyrite. It was found that copper had an inhibitory effect, while arsenic and nickel enhanced nitrate removal efficiency.
Article
Green & Sustainable Science & Technology
Mohanakrishnan Logan, Lea Chua Tan, Corine Orline Nzeteu, Piet N. L. Lens
Summary: The effect of selenate on glycerol removal in UASB reactors was investigated. By gradually increasing selenate concentrations, an average daily methane yield of about 150 mL/g COD and 90% Se removal were achieved until a concentration of 400 mu M SeO42-. However, methane production deteriorated when the influent selenate concentration was increased to 500 mu M.
Article
Environmental Sciences
Manoj Kumar, Silvio Matassa, Francesco Bianco, Armando Oliva, Stefano Papirio, Francesco Pirozzi, Francesco De Paola, Giovanni Esposito
Summary: The anaerobic digestion of sewage sludge is sensitive to high zinc concentrations, but sulfate-reducing bacteria can alleviate zinc toxicity through metal sulfide precipitation. Experiments were conducted to measure biomethane potential in different sewage sludge samples with varying zinc concentrations. The study found that the highest biomethane production occurred with activated sludge containing a background zinc concentration, and the addition of higher zinc concentrations had a slight negative impact on biomethane yield. The study also showed that zinc was removed from the system through sulfide precipitation, and methane production was not adversely affected.
Article
Green & Sustainable Science & Technology
Ester Scotto di Perta, Raffaele Grieco, Stefano Papirio, Giovanni Esposito, Elena Cervelli, Marco Bovo, Stefania Pindozzi
Summary: This study investigates the feasibility of ammonia stripping (AS) before and after anaerobic digestion (AD) of livestock manure in two different farms in southern Italy. The results show that combining AD with AS can result in a higher reduction in total ammonia nitrogen (TAN) compared to AS treatment alone. The efficiency of AS removal depends on the characteristics, mainly the intermediate alkalinity (IA), of the treated matrix.
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Qian Li, Jiahui Zhang, Jiayu Zhou, Wang Xu, Zhuowei Cheng, Piet N. L. Lens, Jianmeng Chen, Dongzhi Chen
Summary: A visible-light photocatalysis coupled with biodegradation system was developed for the removal of chlorobenzenes. The system achieved high removal efficiency of chlorobenzenes, outperforming other photocatalytic and biodegradation methods. The system showed wide applicability and promising potential for the treatment of refractory pollutants.
CHEMICAL ENGINEERING JOURNAL
(2023)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Venkata Sai Reddy Ramireddy, Rakshitha Kurakula, Padmanaban Velayudhaperumal Chellam, Anina James, Eric D. van Hullebusch
Summary: The present study analyzes the degraded products of three azo dyes and predicts their toxicity using in silico methods. The results suggest that the degradation products are toxic and may accumulate in the environment. Proper treatment of these products is crucial.
ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH
(2023)
Review
Environmental Sciences
Lata Rani, Arun Lal Srivastav, Jyotsna Kaushal, Dericks P. Shukla, Tien Duc Pham, Eric D. van Hullebusch
Summary: This paper provides a detailed discussion on the sources of uranium in the water environment, its effects on human health, as well as the application and mechanisms of metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) as adsorbents for uranium removal. MOFs, with their high surface area and porosity, are considered promising adsorbents for removing uranium from contaminated water.
ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH
(2023)
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Sonia Arriaga, Maria Federica Carboni, Piet N. L. Lens
Summary: The effect of a static magnetic field (SMF) on the microbial activity of anaerobic granular sludge was investigated. The results showed that a 70 mT SMF led to improved bioH2 production, decreased lag time, increased production rate, and enhanced consumption of iron and phosphate. The SMF also induced changes in VFA production, pH and conductivity, biomass concentration, EPS composition, and settleability of the sludge. Microbial analysis revealed shifts in the relative abundance of different bacteria species in response to the SMF and heat shock pretreatment. Applying the SMF as a pre-treatment and during bioH2 production could be a promising strategy to optimize the fermentation process.
PROCESS SAFETY AND ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION
(2023)
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Nicola Di Costanzo, Alessandra Cesaro, Francesco Di Capua, Maria Cristina Mascolo, Giovanni Esposito
Summary: This study investigates the effects of a high-intensity static magnetic field on the chemical composition of sewage sludge anaerobic digestate. The results show that the magnetic field can reduce the concentrations of NH4+, NO3-, PO43-, SO42-, and Mg2+ in the liquid phase and increase the crystalline and amorphous phases of nitrogen and phosphorus compounds in the solid phase with fertilizing value. This suggests that magnetic field application can enhance the fertilizing potential of sewage sludge digestate and promote its sustainable valorization.
