New Insight into Sugarcane Industry Waste Utilization (Press Mud) for Cleaner Biobutanol Production by Using C. acetobutylicum NRRL B-527

In the present study, press mud, a sugar industry waste, was explored for biobutanol production to strengthen agricultural economy. The fermentative production of biobutanol was investigated via series of steps, viz. characterization, drying, acid hydrolysis, detoxification, and fermentation. Press mud contains an adequate amount of cellulose (22.3%) and hemicellulose (21.67%) on dry basis, and hence, it can be utilized for further acetone-butanol-ethanol (ABE) production. Drying experiments were conducted in the temperature range of 60–120 °C to circumvent microbial spoilage and enhance storability of press mud. Furthermore, acidic pretreatment variables, viz. sulfuric acid concentration, solid to liquid ratio, and time, were optimized using response surface methodology. The corresponding values were found to be 1.5% (v/v), 1:5 g/mL, and 15 min, respectively. In addition, detoxification studies were also conducted using activated charcoal, which removed almost 93–97% phenolics and around 98% furans, which are toxic to microorganisms during fermentation. Finally, the batch fermentation of detoxified press mud slurry (the sample dried at 100 °C and pretreated) using Clostridium acetobutylicum NRRL B-527 resulted in a higher butanol production of 4.43 g/L with a total ABE of 6.69 g/L.Peer reviewe

Recent Advances in Sugarcane Industry Solid By-Products Valorization

Sugarcane is among the leading agricultural crop cultivated in tropical regions of the world. Industrial processing of sugarcane generates sugar; as well as various solid wastes (i.e. sugarcane bagasse, pressmud). Improvement of biotechnology in industrial level, offers opportunities for economic utilization of these solid residues. In the last few decades, sugarcane bagasse and pressmud have been explored in the theme of lignocellulosic bioconversion. The recalcitrance of biomass is a major drawback towards successful exploitation of lignocellulosic residues. Pretreatment by suitable/efficient processes can overcome this limitation. In this regards; physical, chemical and biological treatment systems are brought into our perspective. Chemical and physicochemical methods are capital-intensive but not environment-friendly, in contrast, method like biological treatment is eco-friendly but extremely slow. There are still major technological and economic challenges need to be addressed; e.g. bioprospecting, established more reliable genetically modified microorganisms, upgrade gene cloning and sequencing processes, yield improvement at large scale etc. Productions of value-added products from these solid wastes are discussed in such a way that pinpoints the most recent trends and the future directions. Biofuels, enzymes, organic acids and bio-sorbents production draw a clear sketch of the current and future bio-based products. Nano-biotechnology and genetic engineering could be future trends to improved processes and products. This review serves as a valuable reference material for a wide range of scientists and technologists in the relevant fields