Current perspectives on acidogenic fermentation to produce volatile fatty acids from waste
Current perspectives on acidogenic fermentation to produce volatile fatty acids from waste
Volatile fatty acids (VFAs) are key platform chemicals used in a multitude of industries including chemicals, pharmaceuticals, food and agriculture. The current route for VFA production is petrochemical based. VFAs can be biologically produced using organic wastes as substrate, therefore directly contributing to a sustainable economy. This process is commonly known as acidogenic fermentation (AF). This review explores the current research on the development of AF processes optimized for VFA production. Three process steps are considered: feedstock pretreatment, fermentation, and primary product recovery with a focus on in situ recovery. Pretreatment is required for recalcitrant feedstocks, especially lignocellulosic substrates. Different pretreatment techniques for AF application have not been studied in depth. The operational parameters of AF (temperature, pH, hydraulic retention time, substrate concentration, etc.) highly influence microbial activity, VFA yields and product distribution. Optimum conditions are ultimately dependent on substrate composition, however, there is indication that certain operational ranges are beneficial for most feedstocks. VFA recovery and purification are necessary for chemical applications. When recovery is performed in situ, it can help relieve product-induced inhibition and keep alkalinity levels stable enabling further waste degradation. Many techniques have been tested, but none are directly compatible with the fermentation conditions tested. Bio-VFAs have the potential to aid in developing a circular economy, but further development is required. Processes need to be developed with the product market in mind, considering both process integration and systematic process optimization.
Acidogenic fermentation, Carboxylic acids, Product recovery, Short chain fatty acids, Volatile fatty acids, Waste feedstocks
439-478
Ramos Suarez, Maria
a99edbd8-48a9-4c39-a50d-7d9de9a7f91c
Zhang, Yue
69b11d32-d555-46e4-a333-88eee4628ae7
Outram, Victoria
9cce7810-63f2-46ac-bb38-295ccfccc8b4
1 June 2021
Ramos Suarez, Maria
a99edbd8-48a9-4c39-a50d-7d9de9a7f91c
Zhang, Yue
69b11d32-d555-46e4-a333-88eee4628ae7
Outram, Victoria
9cce7810-63f2-46ac-bb38-295ccfccc8b4
Ramos Suarez, Maria, Zhang, Yue and Outram, Victoria
(2021)
Current perspectives on acidogenic fermentation to produce volatile fatty acids from waste.
Reviews in Environmental Science and Biotechnology, 20 (2), .
(doi:10.1007/s11157-021-09566-0).
Abstract
Volatile fatty acids (VFAs) are key platform chemicals used in a multitude of industries including chemicals, pharmaceuticals, food and agriculture. The current route for VFA production is petrochemical based. VFAs can be biologically produced using organic wastes as substrate, therefore directly contributing to a sustainable economy. This process is commonly known as acidogenic fermentation (AF). This review explores the current research on the development of AF processes optimized for VFA production. Three process steps are considered: feedstock pretreatment, fermentation, and primary product recovery with a focus on in situ recovery. Pretreatment is required for recalcitrant feedstocks, especially lignocellulosic substrates. Different pretreatment techniques for AF application have not been studied in depth. The operational parameters of AF (temperature, pH, hydraulic retention time, substrate concentration, etc.) highly influence microbial activity, VFA yields and product distribution. Optimum conditions are ultimately dependent on substrate composition, however, there is indication that certain operational ranges are beneficial for most feedstocks. VFA recovery and purification are necessary for chemical applications. When recovery is performed in situ, it can help relieve product-induced inhibition and keep alkalinity levels stable enabling further waste degradation. Many techniques have been tested, but none are directly compatible with the fermentation conditions tested. Bio-VFAs have the potential to aid in developing a circular economy, but further development is required. Processes need to be developed with the product market in mind, considering both process integration and systematic process optimization.
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More information
Accepted/In Press date: 12 January 2021
e-pub ahead of print date: 13 February 2021
Published date: 1 June 2021
Keywords:
Acidogenic fermentation, Carboxylic acids, Product recovery, Short chain fatty acids, Volatile fatty acids, Waste feedstocks
Identifiers
Local EPrints ID: 447541
URI: http://eprints.soton.ac.uk/id/eprint/447541
ISSN: 1569-1705
PURE UUID: a9275314-3c8e-4daf-931d-ce79394b0a1a
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Date deposited: 15 Mar 2021 17:39
Last modified: 21 Nov 2024 02:38
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Author:
Maria Ramos Suarez
Author:
Victoria Outram
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