Applications of Microbial Fermentation in Waste Bioprocessing and Treatment
Keywords:
Microbial fermentation, waste bioprocessing, bioreactors, bio-energy, circular economy, sustainable waste management, biogas productionAbstract
Microbial fermentation is among the conversion technologies identified in the waste management and treatment fields. The paper widely discusses its applications in bioprocessing and sustainable treatment technologies for organic, industrial, and agricultural wastes. It also opens a pathway to the generation of bioenergy, detoxification of hazardous compounds, and synthesis of valuable byproducts such as biofertilizers and biochemicals. Advantages in leading reactor technologies and genetic modification can be exploited through key microorganisms such as Clostridium, Lactobacillus, and Saccharomyces. The fermentation techniques will now allow the relevance of this concept through waste valorization and zero-waste approaches with regard to the circular economy. Major deployment issues, regulatory obstacles, and environmental risk factors have also been considered within the emerging trends of microbial consortia and AI-based process optimization.
References
Awasthi, M. K., Pandey, A. K., Khan, J., et al. (2022). Microbial fermentation technologies for sustainable waste management. Journal of Cleaner Production, 370, 133094.
De Vuyst, L., Comasio, A., & Van Kerrebroeck, S. (2023). Sourdough production: Fermentation strategies, microbial ecology, and use of non-flour ingredients. Critical Reviews in Food Science and Nutrition, 63(15), 2447–2479. https://doi.org/10.1080/10408398.2021.1976100
European Biogas Association. (2024). State of biogas in Europe 2024. Brussels, Belgium.
Gupta, A., Bhattacharya, P., & Chaturvedi, A. (2024). Circular economy strategies for organic waste utilization. Waste Management & Research, 42(2), 98–114.
Jahn, L. J., Rekdal, V. M., & Sommer, M. O. A. (2023). Microbial foods for improving human and planetary health. Cell, 186(3), 469–478. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cell.2022.12.002
Kaszycki, P., Głodniok, M., & Petryszak, P. (2021). Towards a bio-based circular economy in organic waste management and wastewater treatment—The Polish perspective. New Biotechnology, 61, 80–89. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.nbt.2020.11.005
Kumar, R., Singh, S., & Singh, O. V. (2023). Biochemical mechanisms of fermentation in waste valorization. Biotechnology Advances, 60, 107005.
Li, S., Li, P., Feng, F., & Luo, L. (2015). Microbial diversity and their roles in the vinegar fermentation process. Applied Microbiology and Biotechnology, 99(12), 4997–5024. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00253-015-6659-1
Li, S., Li, P., Feng, F., & Luo, L.-X. (2015). Microbial diversity and their roles in the vinegar fermentation process. Applied Microbiology and Biotechnology, 99(12), 4997–5024. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00253-015-6659-1
National Renewable Energy Laboratory. (2023). Bioreactors and fermentation systems for waste treatment. NREL Technical Report.
Pswarayi, F., & Gänzle, M. (2022). African cereal fermentations: A review on fermentation processes and microbial composition of non-alcoholic fermented cereal foods and beverages. International Journal of Food Microbiology, 378, 109815. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijfoodmicro.2022.109815
Pswarayi, F., & Gänzle, M. (2022). African cereal fermentations: A review on fermentation processes and microbial composition of non-alcoholic fermented cereal foods and beverages. International Journal of Food Microbiology, 378, Article 109815. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijfoodmicro.2022.109815
United Nations Environment Programme. (2024). Global waste management outlook 2024. Nairobi, Kenya.
Wu, S.-L., Wei, W., Ngo, H. H., Guo, W., Wang, C., Wang, Y., & Ni, B.-J. (2023). In-situ production of lactate driving the biotransformation of waste activated sludge to medium-chain fatty acid. Journal of Environmental Management, 345, 118524. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jenvman.2023.118524
Zhang, L., Lee, Y. K., Wang, X., et al. (2024). Advances in biogas production from agricultural residues. Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, 183, 113456.
Zikmanis, P., Kolesovs, S., Ruklisha, M., & Semjonovs, P. (2021). Production of bacterial cellulose from glycerol: The current state and perspectives. Bioresources and Bioprocessing, 8(1), 116. https://doi.org/10.1186/s40643-021-00468-1
