This volume presents an overview on the different types of biomass that can be used for the production on biofuels and a new generation of bioproducts.
From foods to materials, and from biofuels to novel generation bioproducts, biomass is at the heart of the carbon cycle and at the base of human activities. All around the world, biomasses can be seen as an answer to the global problems caused by non-renewable energy sources. For each region, climate, and soil, there is a suitable type of biomass that can be produced as an energy crop. Food crops are also a source of residual biomass. The choice of the most appropriate crops as raw materials for traditional markets (food, nutrition and fiber) and emerging markets (energy, biomaterials, green chemistry) depends on technical and economic aspects, since the costs of raw materials represent a significant portion of product costs as well. Realizing the full potential of these biomasses depends also on a deep knowledge of their chemical properties and physical structure.
The book starts with highlighting the importance of biomass for the world’s economy. It then explores the structure of the biomass of different feedstocks related to its main components: saccharides, starch or oil. The importance at the global economy-level, its productive chain and the generated residues at the industries that recover these primary products are also discussed. The next part of the book explores the structure and perspectives to the use of the three main components of the residual biomass: cellulose, hemicellulose and lignin, as well as their structure and possible utilization.Recent advances of biomass pretreatment with the focus at biofuels production is also discussed, as well as the importance of the lignocellulosic biomass from the natural and planted forests.The book concludes by highlighting a number of applications where biomass is used to produce novel bioproducts.
The book is of interest to researchers and professionals working in a field related to biomass or biofuel production, and to anyone interested in the latest developments in this area.
Dr. Adenise Lorenci Woiciechowski has a degree in Chemical Engineering from the Federal University of Paraná (1979), a degree and bachelor's degree in Natural Sciences, specialising in Chemistry, from the Federal University of Paraná (1982), a specialisation in Biotechnological Processes from the Pontifical Catholic University of Paraná (1995), a master's degree in Food Technology from the Federal University of Paraná (1997) and a doctorate in Biotechnological Processes from the Federal University of Paraná (2001). Post-doctorate in Biocomposting Engineering at Falculté Saint Jerome, Aix-in-Marseille - France (2008). She is currently an associate professor at the Federal University of Paraná, with experience in Chemical Engineering, specialising in bioprocesses, working mainly on valorisation of agro-industrial waste, industrial fermentation processes, solid-state fermentation, production of biomolecules and metabolites, environmental biotechnology, among others.
Dr. Arion Zandona Filho graduated (BA and BSc) from the Pontifical Catholic University of Paraná (1984), MSc in Chemical Technology from the Federal University of Paraná (1988), PhD and post-doctorate in Biotechnological Process Engineering from the Federal University of Paraná (2001 - 2012). University lecturer since 1986, teaching various subjects in the areas of Engineering, Chemistry, Biotechnology and Design, including Basic Chemistry, Analytical Chemistry, Transport Phenomena, Chemical Engineering Projects, Chemical and Biotechnological Processes. He has coordinated postgraduate courses and worked in the Postgraduate Dean's Office for 12 years, in various positions. He has worked in teaching since 1982. For over 30 years he has been a consultant in the areas of Chemical Technology, Applied Analytical Chemistry, the Environment and Applied Biotechnology. His main areas of research are Energy and Sustainability (Biofuels), Applied Biotechnology (Bioremediation of solids and liquids), Instrumental Chemical Analysis and the Environment. He was the owner and technical director of Econsult - Bioprocessos Ambientais Ltda. He has held technical and administrative positions (management and board) in various national and multinational companies and has been a consultant for the Secretariats of Agriculture, Health and the Ministry of the Environment.
Professor Satinder Kaur Brar is a Professor at the Civil Engineering Department at York University. She graduated with a Master's in Organic Chemistry from National Chemical Laboratory, Pune, India followed by a Master's in Technology in Environmental Sciences and Engineering from Indian Institute of Technology, Bombay, Mumbai, India. Prof. Brar completed her Ph.D. in Environmental Biotechnology from INRS (Quebec, Canada) in 2007 followed by Post-doctoral experience at McGill University. Prof. Brar is a recognized leader in her field of advanced and applied biotechnology with exceptional expertise in the two converging fields of value-addition of wastes and removal of emerging contaminants. Prof. Brar has an H-index of 79 and more than 29000 citations. She has secured about $10 million in research funding since 2007 which led to a productive and successful HQP training plan. So far Prof Brar has successfully supervised a total of 69 national and international undergraduates and summer interns. Currently, she is supervising 4 PDFs, 2 research associates, one research assistant, 11 Ph.D. and 2 M.Scs. Her research has transcended frontiers and is now adapted all around the world. For example, her research on biopesticides and biofertilizers using wastewater is now applied in Vietnam, Morocco, Ivory Coast, Thailand, Mexico, and India. She has been counted amongst the most outstanding and innovative world-class researchers whose accomplishments have made a major impact in her field. She has been invited by different grant agencies worldwide and as a reviewer and expert in panels which talk volumes about her exceptional research prowess and expertise. Many national and international awards and honours have been bestowed on her that prove her research mettle. She received the prestigious American Society of Civil Engineering (ASCE), Rudolf Gold Medal of Original and Meritorious Research, in 2008 and the ASCE State-of-the-Art of Civil Engineering Award in 2007 and 2017. Very recently, in 2021, her research team was recognized for the best theoretical paper award on techno-economic analysis for the removal of antibiotics from wastewater treatment plants, by the Environmental & Water Resources Institute (EWRI).
Professor Carlos Ricardo Soccol is the research group leader of the Department of Bioprocesses Engineering and Biotechnology (DEBB) at UFPR. Professor Soccol has experience in bioprocesses/biological engineering, industrial biotechnology, green fuels technology, applied microbiology and fermentation technology. The research carried out to date has credited him with more than 1.500 publications, including patents (101), books (34), book chapters (218), original papers (538) and research communications in conferences/symposia (584). The research articles have so far been cited more than 45.387 times at Google Scholar Citations with Index h =108. It has also led successful Advisors of 83 PhD students, 130 Master’s students and 22 post-doctorate students. In 2001, He was Professor HDR in Agri-Foods Biotechnology at the University of Marseille-France. He was a visiting professor at École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne, Switzerland (2009), University Lille 1-France (2014) and University Blaise Pascal, Clermont Ferrand-France (2015). He received several national and international awards, including the Science and Technology Award of the Government of Paraná (1996), Best Scientific Achievement of the Year 2001 by the Ministry of Sugar of Cuba (MINAZ), The Scopus/Elsevier Award (2009), Dr Honoris Causa, University Blaise Pascal-France (2010), Outstanding Scientist at 5th International Conference on Industrial Bioprocesses, Taipei, Taiwan, Henri Nestlé Award - Nestlé, Brazil (2014), Scientist of the Year - Nanocell Institute (2017), Medal of Scientific Merit by Ministry Science Technology and Innovation - Brazilian Government (2018). Since 2014, Prof. Soccol is a member of the Brazilian Academy of Sciences. And editor-in-chief of the Biotechnology Research Innovation journal. He also holds the position of scientist IA of CNPq, Brazil. He is a technical and scientific consultant of several companies, and agencies and a Co-editor and Editorial board member of scientific journals.
