Review
Agricultural Engineering
Alvin B. Culaba, Andres Philip Mayol, Jayne Lois G. San Juan, Carlo L. Vinoya, Ronnie S. Concepcion, Argel A. Bandala, Ryan Rhay P. Vicerra, Aristotle T. Ubando, Wei-Hsin Chen, Jo-Shu Chang
Summary: Lignocellulosic biomass is seen as a sustainable feedstock for biorefineries, but challenges like commercialization and cost effectiveness exist. This article emphasizes studies on the sustainability of LCB and the role of computational intelligence methods in improving biorefineries.
BIORESOURCE TECHNOLOGY
(2022)
Review
Engineering, Chemical
Aleta Duque, Cristina Alvarez, Pablo Domenech, Paloma Manzanares, Antonio D. Moreno
Summary: This review discusses the advantages, recent progress, and key technologies related to advanced bioethanol production, including the use of novel biomass sources, improved pretreatment technologies, new enzyme catalysts, and microbial strains. It also explores relevant biorefinery approaches to enhance the cost-competitiveness and sustainability of bioethanol production processes.
Review
Energy & Fuels
Umut Sen, Bruno Esteves, Helena Pereira
Summary: Bark-based biorefineries are expected to be a trending topic in the future, particularly in terms of adsorbent applications and antioxidant production. However, there is a lack of knowledge on the development of bark-based biorefineries considering different unit operations and potential end products. This state-of-the-art review provides insight into the pyrolysis and extraction studies of bark as key conversion processes. The results suggest that barks are rich in hydrophilic extractives with potential antioxidant properties, and pyrolysis operations can produce functional chars for value-added applications as adsorbent materials. A biorefinery scheme allows for the production of platform chemicals, antioxidant extracts, and biochars from barks while contributing to waste reduction and environmental pollution.
Review
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
Anuj K. Chandel, Marcus B. S. Forte, Igor S. Gongalves, Thais S. Milessi, Priscila Arruda, Walter Carvalho, Solange Mussatto
Summary: The transition from gasoline and petroleum-based products to biofuels and green chemicals is a paradigm shift that will lead to the development of the bioeconomy. Biorefineries in countries like Brazil play a crucial role in this transition, with the country generating a significant amount of second-generation biomass and having an attractive consumer market. Technological innovations are still needed to fully unlock the potential of biomass conversion to biofuels and biochemicals, but successful examples such as renewable products for cosmetics and sustainable technologies for pulp production already exist. The RenovaBio Policy launched by the Federal Brazilian Government aims to boost the production and utilization of biofuels and green chemicals in the country.
BIOFUELS BIOPRODUCTS & BIOREFINING-BIOFPR
(2021)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Amir Molajou, Abbas Afshar, Mina Khosravi, Elham Soleimanian, Masoud Vahabzadeh, Hossein Akbari Variani
Summary: In recent decades, global demands for freshwater, energy, and food have been influenced by population growth, economic development, international trade, and increasing urbanization and food diversity. The lack of integrated management strategies poses a threat to the security of these resources, while climate change exacerbates the adverse impacts. Therefore, understanding and studying the complex interactions and connections between these systems have become crucial.
ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND POLLUTION RESEARCH
(2023)
Review
Chemistry, Physical
Deborah Perez-Almada, Angel Galan-Martin, Maria del Mar Contreras, Eulogio Castro
Summary: Biorefineries play a crucial role in achieving circular economy and sustainability goals. This comprehensive review of the Environmental and Techno-Economic Assessment (ETEA) of biorefineries provides insights into the technical, economic, and environmental implications of different biorefinery schemes. The study reveals increasing interest in the topic, with a focus on second-generation biomass and biochemical routes such as fermentation and anaerobic digestion. The ETEA framework contributes to the optimization of biorefineries and trade-off evaluation between economic viability and environmental sustainability.
SUSTAINABLE ENERGY & FUELS
(2023)
Article
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
Saeed Uz Zafar, Anju Mehra, Asha Arumugam Nesamma, Pannaga Pavan Jutur
Summary: The concept of biorefinery is crucial for sustainable economic growth as it explores and expands new dimensions of bio-based commodity production. It has the potential to transform biomass into renewable energy and bioenergies for human wellbeing.
ALGAL RESEARCH-BIOMASS BIOFUELS AND BIOPRODUCTS
(2023)
Article
Economics
Carlos Francisco Terneus Paez, Oswaldo Viteri Salazar
Summary: This research analyzes the impact of biofuel production in Ecuador on water, food, and energy, with a focus on ethanol produced from sugar cane. Despite the trend of promoting biofuels in countries highly dependent on petroleum imports, other options should be explored due to the risks biofuels pose to food security.
Article
Economics
Mohamed Boly, Aicha Sanou
Summary: This study analyzes the effects of biofuel production on food security in Indonesia and Mexico using the synthetic control method. The findings show that biodiesel production positively affects food security, while bioethanol production has a negative impact.
Article
Agricultural Engineering
Jessica Marcon Bressanin, Victor Coelho Geraldo, Francisco de Assis Magalhaes Gomes, Bruno Colling Klein, Mateus Ferreira Chagas, Marcos Djun Barbosa Watanabe, Antonio Bonomi, Edvaldo Rodrigo de Morais, Otavio Cavalett
Summary: The study explores the economic and environmental performance of a biorefinery involving biomass gasification and FT liquid biofuels production in the context of sustainable bioenergy deployment. Results indicate economic benefits from integrating thermochemical processes with conventional ethanol mills, and processing more energy-cane can lead to better environmental performance.
INDUSTRIAL CROPS AND PRODUCTS
(2021)
Article
Environmental Sciences
S. Torhan, C. A. Grady, I Ajibade, E. K. Galappaththi, R. R. Hernandez, J. Musah-Surugu, A. M. Nunbogu, A. C. Segnon, Y. Shang, N. Ulibarri, D. Campbell, E. T. Joe, J. Penuelas, J. Sardans, M. A. R. Shah
Summary: Food-energy-water systems are vulnerable to natural hazards and climate change risks. Adaptations to these vulnerabilities are occurring globally, with a focus on food security. There are interconnected relationships between different variables characterizing these adaptations. However, there is a need to consider interconnectivity and adopt a nexus approach in future adaptations.
Article
Environmental Studies
Marwa Daoudy
Summary: The author introduces a new framework called human-environment-climate security (HECS) to analyze the impact of climate change on violent conflict, using the cases of Syria, Sudan, and Morocco to illustrate the influence of policy decisions on conflicts. They emphasize the importance of focusing on the human subject and local conceptions of security in understanding these conflicts.
GLOBAL ENVIRONMENTAL POLITICS
(2021)
Article
Food Science & Technology
Odi Fawwaz Alrebei, Tareq Al-Ansari, Mohammad S. Al-Kuwari, Abdulkarem Amhamed
Summary: Finding a balance between production capacity and increasing food demand is crucial for achieving food security. Decision-makers need to consider the interplay and trade-offs among energy, water, and food resources to achieve sustainable development on a national scale. This paper evaluates Qatar's Energy-Water-Food Nexus Profile by using past data trends to make future projections, and analyzes the correlations and required actions to achieve food self-sustainability.
Article
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
James Throup, Juan B. Garcia Martinez, Bryan Bals, Jacob Cates, Joshua M. Pearce, David C. Denkenberger
Summary: The study shows that repurposing pulp and paper mills for lignocellulosic sugar production could quickly meet the current global sugar demand within 5 months after a catastrophe. Despite the need for a higher labor cost, construction time could be reduced to 32% of the original, resulting in sugar production at a cost of $0.82 USD per kilogram.
FOOD AND BIOPRODUCTS PROCESSING
(2022)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Bhupendra Koul, Mohammad Yakoob, Maulin P. Shah
Summary: Globally, large amounts of agricultural wastes are generated daily, needing strategies for timely utilization to achieve agricultural sustainability and ensure food and health security. These wastes come from various sources such as crop residue, agro-industries, livestock, and aquaculture, with their management and utilization being a global issue.
ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH
(2022)