Integrated Catalytic Upgrading of Biomass-Derived Alcohols for Advanced Biofuel Production

Sabarathinam Shanmugam, Anjana Hari, Arivalagan Pugazhendhi and Timo Kikas ()
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Sabarathinam Shanmugam: Biosystems Engineering, Institute of Forestry and Engineering, Estonian University of Life Sciences, Kreutzwaldi 56/1, 51006 Tartu, Estonia
Anjana Hari: Biosystems Engineering, Institute of Forestry and Engineering, Estonian University of Life Sciences, Kreutzwaldi 56/1, 51006 Tartu, Estonia
Arivalagan Pugazhendhi: Tecnologico de Monterrey, Centre of Bioengineering, NatProLab, Plant Innovation Lab, School of Engineering and Sciences, Queretaro 76130, Mexico
Timo Kikas: Biosystems Engineering, Institute of Forestry and Engineering, Estonian University of Life Sciences, Kreutzwaldi 56/1, 51006 Tartu, Estonia

Energies, 2023, vol. 16, issue 13, 1-24

Abstract: Sustainable biofuel production is necessary to meet the daunting challenge of “fueling” growing economies with a significantly reduced carbon footprint. Although its higher oxygen content often hinders the direct conversion of lignocellulosic biomass (LCB) into energy-dense biofuels, microbial biofuel production from LCB still has potential. The production of primary alcohols by acetone–butanol–ethanol (ABE) fermentation has been practiced for more than a century to attain near-theoretical maximum. However, ABE produced conventionally by native microorganisms is not equivalent to fossil fuel-based aviation fuels in terms of energy density, volatility, and cost-efficiency. Various strategies have been adapted for the microbial synthesis of advanced fuels from renewable feedstock with the advancements in genetic engineering. Yet, the presence of inhibitors and the inefficiency of microbes to utilize or transport the sugar mixtures from LCB often impede titer and yield. However, ABE mixtures can act as platform chemicals to synthesize high-value biofuels by biocatalytic or chemo-catalytic applications. Chemical catalysts, in particular, are used to produce higher alcohols ranging from 3-carbon to 20-carbon fuels from the ABE fermentation mixture. This article reviews the recent trends in the production of higher biofuels from ABE mixtures using biological and chemical catalysts. Focus is placed on genomic and metabolic engineering strategies implemented to upgrade microbes for higher biofuel production via the fermentation of renewable feedstocks. This paper also summarizes the advancements in the chemical conversion route of an ABE fermentation mixture into higher biofuels. Finally, the review provides insights into future research toward commercializing renewable and sustainable higher biofuels and chemicals.

Keywords: ABE fermentation; higher biofuels; metabolic engineering; chemical catalysts (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: Q Q0 Q4 Q40 Q41 Q42 Q43 Q47 Q48 Q49 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2023
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (1)

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