Converting biomass to biofuels involves hydrolyzing cellulose to sugars using cost-intensive commercial enzymes – an expensive step that makes large-scale production economically non-viable. As such, there is a need for low-cost bioprocessing. This book critically evaluates the available bioprocessing technologies for various biofuels, and presents the latest research in the field. It also highlights the recent developments, current challenges and viable alternative approaches to reduce the overall cost of producing biofuels.

The major issues relating to environmental sustainability such as a heavy dependency on fossil fuels, increased greenhouse gas emissions, pollution, global warming and climate change have prompted many efforts around the globe to seek alternative energy sources that have negligible environmental impacts and societal benefits. There is an immense interest in biofuels research throughout the world owing to its massive potential to address environmental concerns. Biofuels have the capacity to supplement current and future energy demands through being blended with fossil fuels or even replacing them completely as drop-in fuels in automobiles as well as for heating and the power industries. Waste biomass, primarily lignocellulosic biomass (e.g. agricultural crop residues, forestry biomass and energy crops) and microalgae can act as some inexpensive renewable bioresources for the production of biofuels and biochemicals. The prime focus of Bioprocessing of Biofuels is to shed light on this significant process, especially through microbial conversion technologies to recover and transform the inedible polysaccharides into hydrocarbon biofuels and bioenergy. The book offers introductory coverage of the most crucial topics as follows: A systematic overview of the state-of-the-art in the production and utilization of biofuels Categorical bioprospecting of bioresources for biofuel production Biomass pretreatment and enzymatic saccharification Bioconversion of waste biomass and algae to liquid and gaseous biofuels New developments in microbial fuel-cell technologies Bioprocessing of Biofuels unites topics related to the cutting-edge applications of bioresources and green technologies to reinvigorate biorefineries, positioning them within a competitive energy market. Written to be instantly applicable, this volume offers a reference book for undergraduate and graduate students, scientific investigators and research scholars around the globe working in the areas relating to energy and fuels.

This book discusses various renewable energy resources and technologies. Topics covered include recent advances in photobioreactor design; microalgal biomass harvesting, drying, and processing; and technological advances and optimised production systems as prerequisites for achieving a positive energy balance. It highlights alternative resources that can be used to replace fossil fuels, such as algal biofuels, biodiesel, bioethanol, and biohydrogen. Further, it reviews microbial technologies, discusses an immobilization method, and highlights the efficiency of enzymes as a key factor in biofuel production. In closing, the book outlines future research directions to increase oil yields in microalgae, which could create new opportunities for lipid-based biofuels, and provides an outlook on the future of global biofuel production. Given its scope, the book will appeal to all researchers and engineers working in the renewable energy sector.

Presents the many recent innovations and advancements in the field of biotechnological processes This book tackles the challenges and potential of biotechnological processes for the production of new industrial ingredients, bioactive compounds, biopolymers, energy sources, and compounds with commercial/industrial and economic interest by performing an interface between the developments achieved in the recent worldwide research and its many challenges to the upscale process until the adoption of commercial as well as industrial scale. Bioprocessing for Biomolecules Production examines the current status of the use and limitation of biotechnology in different industrial sectors, prospects for development combined with advances in technology and investment, and intellectual and technical production around worldwide research. It also covers new regulatory bodies, laws and regulations, and more. Chapters look at biological and biotechnological processes in the food, pharmaceutical, and biofuel industries; research and production of microbial PUFAs; organic acids and their potential for industry; second and third generation biofuels; the fermentative production of beta-glucan; and extremophiles for hydrolytic enzymes productions. The book also looks at bioethanol production from fruit and vegetable wastes; bioprocessing of cassava stem to bioethanol using soaking in aqueous ammonia pretreatment; bioprospecting of microbes for bio-hydrogen production; and more. Provides up to date information about the advancements made on the production of important biotechnological ingredients Complete visualization of the general developments of world research around diverse products and ingredients of technological, economic, commercial and social importance Investigates the use and recovery of agro-industrial wastes in biotechnological processes Includes the latest updates from regulatory bodies for commercialization feasibility Offering new products and techniques for the industrial development and diversification of commercial products, Bioprocessing for Biomolecules Production is an important book for graduate students, professionals, and researchers involved in food technology, biotechnology; microbiology, bioengineering, biochemistry, and enzymology.

Sets the stage for large-scale production of biofuels and bio-based chemicals In response to diminishing supplies as well as the environmental hazards posed by fossil fuels and petrochemicals, interest and demand for green, sustainable biofuels and bio-based chemicals are soaring. Biomass may be the solution. It is an abundant carbon-neutral renewable feedstock that can be used for the production of fuels and chemicals. Currently, biorefineries use corn, soybeans, and sugarcane for bioethanol and biodiesel production; however, there are many challenges facing biorefineries, preventing biomass from reaching its full potential. This book provides a comprehensive review of bioprocessing technologies that use lignocellulosic biomass for the production of biofuels, biochemicals, and biopolymers. It begins with an overview of integrated biorefineries. Next, it covers: Biomass feedstocks, including sugar, starch, oil, and energy crops as well as microalgae Pretreatment technologies for lignocellulosic biomass Hydrolytic enzymes used in biorefineries for the hydrolysis of starch and lignocelluloses Bioconversion technologies for current and future biofuels such as ethanol, biodiesel, butanol, hydrogen, and biogas Specialty chemicals, building block chemicals, and biopolymers produced via fermentation Phytochemicals and functional food ingredients extracted from plant materials All the chapters have been written and edited by leading experts in bioprocessing and biorefining technologies. Contributions are based on a thorough review of the literature as well as the authors' firsthand experience developing and working with bioprocessing technologies. By setting forth the current state of the technology and pointing to promising new directions in research, Bioprocessing Technologies in Biorefinery for Sustainable Production of Fuels, Chemicals, and Polymers will enable readers to move towards large-scale, sustainable, and economical production of biofuels and bio-based chemicals.

Biotechnology for Biofuel Production and Optimization is the compilation of current research findings that cover the entire process of biofuels production from manipulation of genes and pathways to organisms and renewable feedstocks for efficient biofuel production as well as different cultivation techniques and process scale-up considerations. This book captures recent breakthroughs in the interdisciplinary areas of systems and synthetic biology, metabolic engineering, and bioprocess engineering for renewable, cleaner sources of energy. Describes state-of-the-art engineering of metabolic pathways for the production of a variety of fuel molecules Discusses recent advances in synthetic biology and metabolic engineering for rational design, construction, evaluation of novel pathways and cell chassis Covers genome engineering technologies to address complex biofuel-tolerant phenotypes for enhanced biofuel production in engineered chassis Presents the use of novel microorganisms and expanded substrate utilization strategies for production of targeted fuel molecules Explores biohybrid methods for harvesting bioenergy Discusses bioreactor design and optimization of scale-up

Sustainable Bioprocessing for a Clean and Green Environment: Concepts and Applications highlights the importance of waste to health in which waste is safely converted to value-added products via bioprocess technologies. Providing fundamental concepts and applications, this book also offers readers the methodology behind the operation of a variety of biological processes used in developing valuable products from waste. Features: Discusses synthesis and use of environmentally friendly biobased materials, such as biopolymer films and biobased plasticizers Highlights nanotechnology applications in the treatment of pollution and emphasizes the synthesis of biogenic nanomaterials for environmental remediation Describes the use of biosurfactants and emerging algal technologies, such as applications of microalgae in nutraceuticals and biofuel production Details delignification for lignocellulosic biomass This interdisciplinary book offers researchers and practitioners in chemical engineering, environmental engineering, and related fields a broad perspective on fundamentals, technologies, and environmental applications of sustainable bioprocessing.