Waste-to-Resource: Microbial-Driven Processes for Gaseous, Liquid and Solid Wastes Valorization

Dear Colleagues,

Addressing waste management and resource diversification is challenging and requires innovative sustainable solutions. The utilization of microbial-driven processes for the valorization of C1 gaseous streams and liquid and solid wastes has emerged as a promising avenue. Some of the implications of using this biological approach include the improvement of the waste management environmental impact, the preservation of virgin resources, the symbiosis among the different waste flows generated by industries and the reduction in GHG emissions.

The chemical and manufacturing industry is a significant contributor to GHG emissions. Additionally, the feed production sector heavily exploits land and water resources. Therefore, to address these environmental challenges, we need to intensify efforts to develop efficient, stable, and scalable bioprocesses. This would entail transforming the current fossil- and palm oil-based manufacturing sector into waste-based bioindustries, thereby promoting the principles of the circular economy. This goal can be achieved by harnessing the diversified metabolic capabilities of acetogenic bacteria, cyanobacteria, microalgae, methanotrophic and methanogenic archaea.

This Special Issue titled “Waste-to-Resource: Microbial-Driven Processes for Gaseous, Liquid and Solid Wastes Valorization” will, therefore, present original research papers and comprehensive reviews that integrate expertise from different areas related to the development and optimization of waste-based bioprocesses for the production of feed, chemicals, cosmetic and nutraceutic compounds, building blocks, polymers, etc., including but not limited to the following topics:

• Screening of novel microbial catalysts;
• Metabolic engineering and adaptive laboratory evolution of producing microorganisms;
• Development and optimization of sustainable bioproduction processes;
• Novel microbial-based value chains;
• Microbial valorization of unexploited waste streams (e.g., e-waste);
• Innovative (photo)-bioreactors design;
• Bioprocess modeling and techno-economic assessment;
• Bioprocess environmental assessment.

Dr. Valeria Agostino
Dr. Annalisa Abdel Azim
Dr. Nicolò S. Vasile
Guest Editors

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• waste-to-resource
• CO₂ valorization
• industrial waste streams valorization
• bio-based manufacturing
• acetogens
• microalgae
• methanogens
• methanotrophs
• fermentation