Biotechnology For Utilization Of Agricultural Residues

This book provides an in-depth review of lignocellulosic biomass resources, with a focus on agricultural residues as renewable and environmentally friendly sources for biofuels and bio-based chemicals. It addresses the complexities of biomass composition and the innovative processes required for efficient conversion, offering a roadmap for sustainable socioeconomic development.

The chapters cover a range of key topics, including biomass utilization processes, pretreatment of lignin-carbohydrate complexes, and enzymatic hydrolysis of cellulose and hemicellulose. Readers will discover the importance of engineered microbial strains for efficient sugar utilization and the production of bulk commodities from agricultural residues. The book also reviews the challenges of toxic by-products generated during pretreatment and explores strategies for overcoming them. This book outlines innovative approaches to composting agricultural residues for soil stabilization and nutrient enrichment in animal farming, along with anaerobic digestion for biogas and biohydrogen production. The final chapter covers the life cycle analysis of agricultural residues and related products, inviting readers to consider the broader environmental implications of these technologies.

This volume is essential for researchers, scholars, and practitioners in bioengineering, environmental science, and sustainable agriculture. It is an invaluable resource for academics across these disciplines, as well as policymakers and industry professionals seeking to leverage lignocellulosic biomass for sustainable solutions.

Xin-Qing Zhao received her PhD from Myongji University, South Korea, and conducted postdoctoral research at the University of Tübingen, Germany, with support from the Alexander von Humboldt Foundation. She began her academic career at Dalian University of Technology in 1998 and became a full professor in 2011. In 2014, she joined Shanghai Jiao Tong University, where her research focuses on the bioconversion of lignocellulosic biomass using engineered microorganisms, particularly Trichoderma reesei and conventional and non-conventional yeasts. Her work addresses cellulase production and the production of cellulosic ethanol, succinic acid, and other valuable chemicals. She has published 122 peer-reviewed articles and holds 12 patents related to genetically modified microbial strains and bioprocesses. She has led projects funded by the National Natural Science Foundation of China, the National Key Research and Development Program of China, and industrial partners. She serves on the editorial boards of several journals, including Biotechnology Advances, Biotechnology for Biofuels and Bioproducts, and BioDesign Research. Her distinctions include the Young Asian Biotechnologist Prize and recognition through China’s Program for New Century Excellent Talents.

Yue-Qin Tang received her BSc and MSc from Sichuan University, China, and her PhD from Kumamoto University, Japan. After serving as an assistant professor at Kumamoto University, she joined Peking University as a full professor in 2008 and returned to Sichuan University in 2012. Her research focuses on converting waste biomass into renewable energy products, including biogas and fuel ethanol, as well as bio-based chemicals, biomaterials, and biofertilizers. She has published more than 200 peer-reviewed articles and filed 30 patents related to genetically engineered microorganisms and bioprocessing technologies. Her honors include the Young Asian Biotechnologist Prize, the Technology Award of the Brewing Society of Japan, the National Award for Environmental Protection Science and Technology, and the Outstanding Achievements Award in Scientific Research of Higher Education Institutions.

Feng-Wu Bai received his BSc and MSc from Dalian University of Technology, China, and his PhD from the University of Waterloo, Canada. He served at Dalian University of Technology from 1988 to 2012 and held visiting appointments at Ohio University and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. In 2013, he joined Shanghai Jiao Tong University as a distinguished professor in the School of Life Sciences and Biotechnology. His research focuses on industrial biotechnology and the production of biofuels, bioenergy products, and bio-based chemicals from biomass resources, particularly agricultural residues. He has published more than 200 peer-reviewed articles and four book chapters and holds 12 patents with industrial relevance. He has also co-edited two volumes of Advances in Biochemical Engineering/Biotechnology and served as an editor of Biotechnology Advances from 2012 to 2022. He currently chairs the Subcommittee on Biotechnology of the International Union of Pure and Applied Chemistry and serves on the executive board of the Asian Federation of Biotechnology.