Development of bioprocesses for obtention of products with potential applications in bioenergy and feed industries using agro-industrial residues

Abstract

The technological use of lignocellulolitic agroindustrial waste has been much interest worldwide due to be a new renewable source for the production of food, chemicals and biofuels. On the national scene there is a great quantity of waste available, among which stand out the sugarcane bagasse, cassava bagasse, wheat bran and citrus pulp, from agricultural activities. These raw materials can serve as a substrate for the production of products with high added value, through bioprocesses performed by selected microorganisms. Furthermore, they consist of abundant source of complex carbohydrates like cellulose, hemicelluloses and starch but low protein content. The challenge is to obtain fermentable sugars from these wastes through safe and economical bioprocesses. The development of bioprocesses including the definition of microorganisms, cultivation parameters, formulation of economic and efficient medium of culture using lignocellulosic wastes and production optimization , separation and purification of biomolecules add value to these processes are important goals for success the application of this research in conversion of waste to bioproducts industries of food, feed and energy. The knowledge of the hydrolytic enzyme complexes with including cellulases, xylanases and amylases are also reactions is critical to success in the degradation of cellulose , hemicellulose and starch, respectively. The several applications of these enzymes are varied and can be found in the bioenergy, production of functional foods, pulp and paper, animal feed and fine chemical sectors. Another possibility is the conversion of lignocellulosic residues into unicellular protein by special yeasts. The implementation of integrated bioprocesses is possible for the production of enzymes, sugars and ethanol, with reduced investments due to synergies of infrastructure already in place, thus avoiding logistics costs due to the production "in loco". In this research project are proposed the study of some bioprocesses for the production of carbohydrases, sugars and proteins in order to contribute to the development of new technologies for supply nutrients and biofuels from agricultural residues. (AU)