A critical review of multiple alternative pathways for the production of a high-value bioproduct from sugarcane mill byproducts: the case of adipic acid

Abstract

Biobased fuels, chemicals, and materials can replace fossil fuel products and mitigate climate change. Sugarcane mills have the potential to produce a wider range of biobased chemicals in a similar approach to bioethanol production, including adipic acid. Multiple alternative pathways for converting simple sugars into adipic acid have been described, with the potential for integration into a sugar mill. The economics and expected greenhouse gas emissions reductions compared to fossil-based adipic acid were investigated in the present study to identify preferred pathways for implementation in sugarcane biorefineries. Nine biobased pathways for adipic acid production were screened for technical performances, resulting in the selection of four preferred options for rigorous comparison, i.e., direct microbial conversion of sugars, and production via cis,cis-muconic acid, glucaric acid, and glycerol as intermediate, obtained from sugars. The minimum selling prices of adipic acid for an attractive return on investment were determined for these pathways, using either A-molasses or a combination of A-molasses and pretreated sugarcane lignocelluloses in biorefineries designed to be energy-self-sufficient. Adipic acid production from A-molasses via cis,cis-muconic acid was the best overall performing scenario with the lowest minimum selling price of USD 2,538/Mt and lowered greenhouse gas emissions (2,325 g CO2 eq/kg wet) compared to fossil-based adipic acid production. The scenarios with combined A-molasses and lignocellulosic feedstock had increased minimum selling prices by 29 to 101% compared to adipic acid production from A molasses via cis,cis-muconic acid.

Recent Developments in Synthesis, Properties, Applications and Recycling of Bio-Based Elastomers

“…Some diols and polyols are mannitol, sorbitol, xylitol, glycerol, cardol, 1,3-propanediol, 1,4-butanediol, and 1,6-hexanediol bio-based ( Figure 4 ). Many polyols have been obtained and modified from lignin, chitin, chitosan, and cellulose (aromatic polyol) [ 60 , 61 , 62 , 63 , 64 , 65 , 66 ]. Some diols can be converted into polyols by a polycondensation reaction; for example, polyhexanediol (bio-based polyol) has been obtained from 1,6-hexanediol [ 62 ].…”

Balancing Agriculture and Industry through Waste Utilization for Sugarcane Sustainability

“…Other by-products from sugar-ethanol industries, namely bagasse and molasse, which are not considered as industrial wastes in this study, could also be used to produce value-added bioproducts through biorefinery processes. These processes involve fermentation to produce alcohols and organic acids like adipic acid [62], digestion to generate biogas and biofertilizers, and an enzymatic process to release sugars (monosaccharides, hexoses, pentoses, glucose, xylose, etc.) present in lignocellulosic biomass [60].…”

Opportunities and challenges for n-alkane and n-alkene biosynthesis: A sustainable microbial biorefinery

“…There is a wide variety of microorganisms in nature, offering numerous potential candidates as microbial platforms for hydrocarbon production (Pradhan et al, 2022;Selvasembian et al, 2022;Cronjé et al, 2023). From a theoretical standpoint, it is possible for microorganisms with efficient fatty acid metabolic pathways to serve as microbial platforms for alkane production, even if they do not naturally produce hydrocarbons.…”