Integrated energy efficient microwave and unique fermentation processes for pilot scale production of high value chemicals from lignocellulosic waste

为了实现关键的气候变化目标，同时提供可持续的经济增长，英国必须发展强大的生物经济。这需要英国特有的和丰富的废物木质纤维素流的价值。目前，多阶段酸预处理解聚和酶促工艺的费用和效率低下限制了该领域的发展。最近，我们报道了一种用于生物废物解聚的一步微波（MW）创新工艺。这项关键的使能技术在低能量投入的情况下实现了高糖产量。虽然在此过程中形成的抑制剂限制了大多数酵母的生长，但健壮的酵母Metschnikowia pulcherrima （Mp）在这种原料上茁壮成长，产生有价值的2-苯乙醇、阿拉伯糖醇和脂类。该项目旨在通过将这些在低能量生物质处理和独特发酵方面的突破结合起来，开发中试规模的多产品生物炼制，以生产适销对路的化合物。

To meet key climate change targets, while providing sustainable economic growth, the UK must develop a robust bioeconomy. This requires the valorisation of UK-specific and abundant waste lignocelluosic streams. Currently, the expense and inefficiency of the multi-stage acid pre-treated depolymerisation and enzymatic process has limited the growth in this sector. Recently, we reported an innovative one-step microwave (MW) process for the depolymerisation of bio-wastes. This key enabling technology achieves high sugar yields despite low energy inputs. While the inhibitors formed in the process limit the growth of most yeasts, the robust yeast Metschnikowia pulcherrima (Mp) thrives on this feedstock to produce valuable 2-phenylethanol, arabinitol and lipids. This project aims to develop a pilot scale multi-product biorefinery by coupling these breakthroughs in low energy biomass treatment and unique fermentation to produce marketable compounds.