The biochemurgist –Bioconversion of agricultural raw materials for chemical production

TLDR

Current cereal‑ and oilseed‑based chemical production processes need restructuring into advanced biorefineries to reduce environmental impact, improve economics, and meet market needs by utilizing all grain or oilseed components and residues to produce a spectrum of products from biofuels to specialty chemicals. The study proposes generic biorefining concepts for wheat and rapeseed. The authors propose generic biorefining concepts for wheat and rapeseed, including upgrading glycerol by‑product from biodiesel into raw materials for chemicals via microbial bioconversions or enzymatic biotransformations. © 2007 Society of Chemical Industry and John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Abstract

Abstract Current cereal‐ and oilseed‐based processes for the production of chemicals should be restructured into advanced biorefining strategies in order to reduce environmental impact, improve overall economics and meet market/societal needs. Next generation biorefineries should utilize all grain or oilseed components as well as any associated residues for the production of a spectrum of products ranging from biofuels and biodegradable plastics to commodity, platform and speciality chemicals. Generic biorefining concepts are proposed in the case of wheat and rapeseed. Glycerol produced as by‐product from biodiesel production could be upgraded into an important raw material for the production of various chemicals through microbial bioconversions or enzymatic biotransformations. © 2007 Society of Chemical Industry and John Wiley & Sons, Ltd