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Conversion of food processing wastes to biofuel using clostridia
Mohamed Hemida Abd-Alla1, Abdel-Naser Ahmed Zohri1, Abdel-Wahab Elsadek El-Enany1
1Botany and Microbiology Department, Faculty of Science, Assiut University, Assiut 71516, Egypt.
Anaerobe
|August 22, 2017
Summary
Food waste like potato peels and cheese whey can be recycled into biofuel through fermentation. Certain Clostridium strains efficiently convert these wastes into acetone-butanol-ethanol (ABE), offering a sustainable energy solution.
Area of Science:
- Biotechnology and Bioengineering
- Microbial Fermentation
- Renewable Energy Production
Background:
- Food processing wastes represent a significant disposal challenge.
- Valorization of waste streams into valuable products is crucial for sustainability.
- Acetone-butanol-ethanol (ABE) fermentation is a key biofuel production pathway.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the efficacy of food processing wastes (potato peels, cheese whey) as substrates for ABE production.
- To screen local Clostridium strains for optimal biofuel and organic acid yields.
- To compare ABE production profiles using different waste substrates.
Main Methods:
- Fermentation of potato peels and cheese whey using eight local Clostridium strains and one commercial strain (C. acetobutylicum ATCC 824).
- Analysis of acetone-butanol-ethanol (ABE) and organic acid production.
- Optimization of substrate supplementation (e.g., NH4NO3, yeast extract).
Main Results:
- Clostridium beijerinckii ASU10 achieved the highest ABE yield (17.91 g/l) from potato peels, with butanol as the major product (61.3%).
- Clostridium chauvoei ASU12 produced the highest organic acids (8.15 g/l) from potato peels.
- Cheese whey fermentation by Clostridium beijerinckii ASU5 yielded 7.13 g/l ABE, with a higher ethanol ratio compared to potato peels.
Conclusions:
- Potato peels and cheese whey are cost-effective substrates for ABE biofuel production.
- Local Clostridium strains demonstrate significant potential for waste valorization.
- This study presents an eco-friendly approach to managing food waste and producing biofuels.
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