Enzymatic approaches for diversifying bioproducts from cellulosic biomass

Author(s)

Arantes, Valdeir ; Las-Casas, Bruno ; Dias, Isabella K. R. ; Yupanqui-Mendoza, Sergio Luis ; Nogueira, Carlaile F. O. ; Marcondes, Wilian F.

• Document type: Journal article
• Source: CHEMICAL COMMUNICATIONS; v. 60, n. 72, p. 29-pg., 2024-07-26.

Abstract

Cellulosic biomass is the most abundantly available natural carbon-based renewable resource on Earth. Its widespread availability, combined with rising awareness, evolving policies, and changing regulations supporting sustainable practices, has propelled its role as a crucial renewable feedstock to meet the escalating demand for eco-friendly and renewable materials, chemicals, and fuels. Initially, biorefinery models using cellulosic biomass had focused on single-product platform, primarily monomeric sugars for biofuel. However, since the launch of the first pioneering cellulosic plants in 2014, these models have undergone significant revisions to adapt their biomass upgrading strategy. These changes aim to diversify the bioproduct portfolio and improve the revenue streams of cellulosic biomass biorefineries. Within this area of research and development, enzyme-based technologies can play a significant role by contributing to eco-design in producing and creating innovative bioproducts. This Feature Article highlights our strategies and recent progress in utilizing the biological diversity and inherent selectivity of enzymes to develop and continuously optimize sustainable enzyme-based technologies with distinct application approaches. We have advanced technologies for standalone platforms, which produce various forms of cellulose nanomaterials engineered with customized and enhanced properties and high yields. Additionally, we have tailored technologies for integration within a biorefinery concept. This biorefinery approach prioritizes designing tailored processes to establish bionanomaterials, such as cellulose and lignin nanoparticles, and bioactive molecules as part of a new multi-bioproduct platform for cellulosic biomass biorefineries. These innovations expand the range of bioproducts that can be produced from cellulosic biomass, transcending the conventional focus on monomeric sugars for biofuel production to include biomaterials biorefinery. This shift thereby contributes to strengthening the Bioeconomy strategy and supporting the achievement of several Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. Enzyme technologies enable the production of multiple bioproducts from cellulosic biomass. (AU)

• FAPESP's process: 21/11907-3 - Life cycle assessment of nanocellulose production from sugarcane bagasse
• Grantee: Vitória Tamie Obara Fernandes
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Scientific Initiation
• FAPESP's process: 15/02862-5 - NANOCEL - development of enzyme mixtures for the preparation of nanocelluloses by a biohibrid process
• Grantee: Valdeir Arantes
• Support Opportunities: Program for Research on Bioenergy (BIOEN) - Young Investigators Grants
• FAPESP's process: 15/00397-3 - Study on the action of endoglucanases in the production of nanocrystalline cellulose
• Grantee: Germano Andrade Siqueira
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Post-Doctoral
• FAPESP's process: 21/07023-2 - Development of an enzyme-based platform technology for production and modulation of nanocellulose: validation for biomedical and food packaging applications
• Grantee: Valdeir Arantes
• Support Opportunities: Research Grants - Young Investigators Grants - Phase 2
• FAPESP's process: 20/04665-0 - Effect of enzymes characteristics on cellulose nanocrystals yield and properties
• Grantee: Matheus Teixeira Basso
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Scientific Initiation
• FAPESP's process: 21/04324-1 - Application of enzymatic treatments and lignin nanoparticles in the development of a customized nanocellulose for the manufacture of active and sustainable packaging
• Grantee: Bruno Las Casas Chaves
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Doctorate (Direct)