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Innovative Technologies for Biomass Valorization in Sustainable Energy System

A special issue of Energies (ISSN 1996-1073). This special issue belongs to the section "A4: Bio-Energy".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (10 April 2023) | Viewed by 6217

Special Issue Editor

Korea Research Institute of Bioscience and Biotechnology, Daejeon 34141, Republic of Korea
Interests: algal biotechnology; biomass conversion; community ecology
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

The global commitment to realizing a sustainable net-zero society is no longer newsworthy as nations recognize issues stemming from climate change and environmental pollution as serious economic and security threats. While biomass-based technologies have potential to address this demanding challenge, both conventional and non-conventional biomass-based systems are known to generate substantial amounts of byproducts or waste materials that could be further valorized to maximize the overall economic outlook. Thus, new innovations advancing biomass utilization pathways are highly sought after as preemptive actions not just to address potential environmental risks, but also to seize opportunities arising in an era demanding sustainable biomass-based solutions.

In this Special Issue of Energies, we aim to gather novel research outcomes on the rapidly evolving field of biomass valorization. A non-exclusive list of topics that align with the Special Issue encompasses:

  • Algae-based solutions for waste remediation;
  • Biomass (including agro-forestry waste) valorization;
  • New applications of byproduct(s) generated from biomass conversion processes;
  • Techno-economic analysis of different biomass conversion pathways;
  • Industry survey of lesser-known biomass wastes that could provide new valorization opportunities.

Additionally, review articles on the topics listed above will also be considered; however, it is highly recommended to consult the guest editor (Dr. Jin-Ho Yun) prior to starting your review article. 

Should you have any questions, please feel free to reach out to either the editorial manager or the guest editor.

Dr. Jin-Ho Yun
Guest Editor
Research Scientist
Korea Research Institute of Bioscience and Biotechnology (KRIBB)

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Published Papers (2 papers)

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Research

24 pages, 9979 KiB  
Article
Taxonomic and Biochemical Characterization of Microalga Graesiella emersonii GEGS21 for Its Potential to Become Feedstock for Biofuels and Bioproducts
by Nam Seon Kang, Kichul Cho, Sung Min An, Eun Song Kim, Hyunji Ki, Chung Hyeon Lee, Grace Choi and Ji Won Hong
Energies 2022, 15(22), 8725; https://doi.org/10.3390/en15228725 - 20 Nov 2022
Cited by 8 | Viewed by 3255
Abstract
Graesiella emersonii is a commercially exploitable source of bioactive compounds and biofuels with potential applications in microalgae-based industries. Despite this, little taxonomical information is available. Therefore, proper identification and characterization are needed for the sustainable utilization of isolated microalgae. In this study, an [...] Read more.
Graesiella emersonii is a commercially exploitable source of bioactive compounds and biofuels with potential applications in microalgae-based industries. Despite this, little taxonomical information is available. Therefore, proper identification and characterization are needed for the sustainable utilization of isolated microalgae. In this study, an axenically isolated unicellular green alga from the Geumgang Estuary, Korea was investigated for its morphological, molecular, and biochemical characteristics. The morphological characteristics were typical of G. emersonii. Molecular phylogenetic analysis of the 18S rDNA sequence verified that the isolate belonged to G. emersonii and was subsequently named G. emersonii GEGS21. It was isolated from brackish water, and its optimal growth temperature, salinity, and light intensity were at 28–32 °C, 0 M NaCl, and 130–160 µmol m−2 s−1, respectively. The strain thrived over a range of temperatures (5–40 °C) and withstood up to 0.5 M NaCl. The isolate was rich in omega-6 linoleic acid (C18:2 n-6, 26.3%) and palmitic acid (C16:0, 27.5%). The fuel quality properties were determined, and biodiesel from GEGS21 could be used as a biodiesel blend. Value-added carotenoids lutein (1.5 mg g−1 dry cell weight, DCW) and neoxanthin (1.2 mg g−1 DCW) were biosynthesized as accessory pigments by this microalga. The biomass of this microalga may serve as feedstock for biodiesel production as well as producing valuable ω-6 and carotenoids. Full article
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11 pages, 1195 KiB  
Article
Microalgae as an Effective Recovery Agent for Vanadium in Aquatic Environment
by Hee Su Kim, Minsik Kim, Won-Kun Park, Won-Geun Yang, Manoranjan Nayak, Hyeon Ho Shin, Kichul Cho, Daekyung Kim and Tatsuya Oda
Energies 2022, 15(12), 4467; https://doi.org/10.3390/en15124467 - 19 Jun 2022
Cited by 7 | Viewed by 2101
Abstract
Given that vanadium is a valuable material, the implementation of vanadium recycling processes is thus necessary to enhance the element’s value chain as well as minimize its undesirable environmental consequences. Among various remediation methods available, a biological method based on microalgal adsorption is [...] Read more.
Given that vanadium is a valuable material, the implementation of vanadium recycling processes is thus necessary to enhance the element’s value chain as well as minimize its undesirable environmental consequences. Among various remediation methods available, a biological method based on microalgal adsorption is known to be eco-friendly and calls for further investigations. Herein, we evaluated V2O5 adsorption efficiencies of four different microalgal strains: Nannochloropsis oculata, Heterocapsa circularisquama, Chattonella marina, and Chattonella antiqua. Inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) data indicated that vanadium concentration in the culture medium of Nannochloropsis oculata was reduced from 4.61 ± 0.11 mg L−1 to 1.85 ± 0.21 mg L−1 after being exposed to V2O5 solution for 24 h, whereas the supernatants of the other three strains displayed no change in vanadium ion concentration. Therefore, our results indicated a strong potential of Nannochloropsis oculata for recycling vanadium with approximately 59.9% of vanadium ion removal efficiency. Furthermore, morphological observation of Nannochloropsis oculata using scanning electron microscopy (SEM) indicated that the cells were able to maintain their intact morphology even under the presence of high concentrations of heavy metals. Due to the high adsorption efficiency and robustness of Nannochloropsis oculata, the results collectively support it as a potential strain for V2O5 recovery. Full article
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