Premium
Biotechnological valorization potential indicator for lignocellulosic materials
Author(s) -
Duarte Luís C.,
Esteves Maria P.,
Carvalheiro Florbela,
Gírio Francisco M.
Publication year - 2007
Publication title -
biotechnology journal
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.144
H-Index - 84
eISSN - 1860-7314
pISSN - 1860-6768
DOI - 10.1002/biot.200700183
Subject(s) - biochemical engineering , lignocellulosic biomass , microbiology and biotechnology , chemistry , pulp and paper industry , biofuel , engineering , biology
This report introduces the biotechnological valorization potential indicator (BVPI) concept, a metric to measure the degree of suitability of lignocellulosic materials to be used as feedstock in a biorefinery framework. This indicator groups the impact of the main factors influencing upgrade‐ability, both the biological/chemical nature of the materials, and the economical, technological and geographical factors. The BVPI was applied to the identification of the most relevant opportunities and constraints pertaining to the lignocellulosic by‐products from the Portuguese agro‐industrial cluster. Several by‐products were identified with a high valorization potential, e.g. , rice husks, brewerýs spent grain, tomato pomace, carob pulp, de‐alcoholized grape bagasse, and extracted olive bagasse, that would greatly benefit from the further development of specific biotechnology processes, specifically concerning the upgrade of their hemicellulosic fraction.