The Utilization of Non-Grain Biomass Resources

Dear Colleagues,

Non-grain biomass encompasses organic matter derived from plant or animal sources not intended for human consumption or strategic grain reserves. The enhanced development and utilization of bulk non-grain biomass protein resources is a critical pathway for advancing modern animal husbandry and safeguarding grain security. Key categories of non-grain biomass resources include the following:

1. Crop residues (post-harvest stems and leaves from cereals, oilseeds, and industrial crops—globally abundant at >3.7 billion tonnes annually, FAO).
2. Agricultural processing byproducts (e.g., bran, pomace, peels—offering underutilized nutrient streams).
3. Forage grasses.
4. Aquatic macrophytes (emergent/submerged vascular plants).
5. Algal biomass (photosynthetic microalgae and cyanobacteria).
6. Dedicated non-food energy crops (e.g., switchgrass, miscanthus—often cultivated on marginal lands).
7. Forestry residues (non-commercial lignocellulosic biomass like leaves, branches, tops, shrubs, stumps, logging slash generated during operations).
8. Animal manure.
9. Food waste.
10. Industrial organic wastes (biodegradable fractions of municipal solid waste, wastewater streams, and process residues suitable for bioenergy/conversion).

This Special Issue focuses on the integrated valorization and utilization of these diverse non-grain biomass resources. We seek contributions exploring innovative multidisciplinary approaches across various application pathways, including the following:

• Microbiological and biochemical conversion for feed and fertilizer production.
• Bioenergy generation (e.g., via anaerobic digestion, fermentation, and pyrolysis).
• Extraction and processing for food/feed ingredients (e.g., algal proteins and functional fiber extracts).
• Integrated biorefinery platforms for maximizing resource recovery and value.

We welcome original research and reviews from diverse disciplines central to this field, particularly the following: Microbiology, Ecology, Chemical Engineering, Agricultural Engineering, Food Science, and Agricultural Resource Utilization.

Dr. Shilei Wang
Dr. Yafan Cai
Topic Editors