Integrated Microalgal Platform for Upcycling Biomass Wastes

该发现资助计划旨在开发基于藻类的工艺，将废弃生物质和温室气体转化为目前由棕榈油等不可持续的原料生产的油脂化学品。油脂化学品是衍生自甘油三酯的产品，包括脂肪酸、脂肪醇、甲酯和甘油，其通常用于制造食品、肥皂、洗涤剂、化妆品、润滑剂和钻井液。生物资源产业在加拿大经济中发挥着重要作用，2017年为加拿大GDP贡献了1360亿美元，雇用了250万人。在低碳经济中，生物资源将发挥更大的作用。然而，为了确保基于生物资源的经济的可持续性，必须应用循环经济原则，以确保我们有效地转化这些生物资源。在不同阶段产生的废弃生物质的处置导致大量温室气体的形成和释放，仅农业食品部门目前就占加拿大温室气体排放量的约10%。在过去十年中，在开发将生物质废物转化为生物燃料的工艺方面取得了重大进展。虽然这可能是目前最有效的生物质废物利用方式，但电气化的进展和推动经济脱碳意味着，从中长期来看，将生物质用作燃料原料的空间有限。因此，显然需要新技术来有效地将生物质废物转化为非燃料产品。该计划将把生物质残渣和温室气体排放转化为有价值的产品。微藻是一组光合微生物，由于其高面积生产率（其比植物高数倍）而作为生物燃料和化学品的来源引起了极大的兴趣。有趣的是，几种藻类除了进行光合作用外，还可以利用有机物质。这种双重生活方式导致碳的非常有效的利用，并打开了利用藻类将生物质废物升级循环为有价值的化学品的机会，例如脂肪酸和脂肪醇，目前主要从热带地区种植的棕榈油中获得。这项研究将产生关于控制藻类生长的影响以及藻类产生的脂质的浓度和类型的基础知识。这些知识将使藻类成为化学品可持续生产的高效平台，促进循环经济和生物经济的发展，并减少气候变化的影响。高素质的人员将接受培训，掌握开发和支持下一代生物工艺的技能，并领导向低碳、更可持续的社会过渡。

This Discovery Grant Program aims to develop algae-based processes to convert waste biomass and greenhouse gases into oleochemicals that are currently produced from unsustainable feedstocks, such as palm oil. Oleochemicals are products derived from triglycerides, including fatty acids, fatty alcohols, methyl esters, and glycerin, that are commonly used to manufacture food products, soaps, detergents, cosmetics, lubricants, and drilling fluids. Bioresource-based industries play a significant role in the Canadian economy, contributing $136 billion to Canada's GDP in 2017, and employing 2.5 million people. In a low carbon economy, bioresources will play an even greater role. However, to ensure the sustainability of the bioresource-based economy, circular economy principles must be applied to ensure we efficiently convert these bioresources. The disposal of waste biomass that is generated at different stages results in the formation and release of significant amounts of greenhouse gases, with the agri-food sector alone being currently responsible for roughly 10% of Canada's greenhouse gas emissions. Over the last decade, significant progress has been achieved in developing processes to convert biomass waste into biofuels. Although today this is perhaps the most effective use of biomass waste, progress in electrification and a push for decarbonizing the economy means that in the medium to long term there is limited scope for using biomass as a feedstock for fuels. Thus, new technologies are clearly needed to effectively transform biomass waste into non-fuel products. This program will transform biomass residues and greenhouse gas emissions into valuable products. Microalgae are a group of photosynthetic microbes that have attracted significant interest as a source of biofuels and chemicals due to their high areal productivities, which are several times higher than that of plants. Interestingly, several algae species can use organic matter in addition to performing photosynthesis. This dual way of living results in very efficient utilization of carbon and open the opportunity to exploit algae to upcycle biomass waste into valuable chemicals, such as fatty acids and fatty alcohols, which are currently obtained primarily from palm oil cultivated in tropical locations. This research will generate fundamental knowledge about the effects controlling algal growth, and the concentration and type of lipids algae produce. This knowledge will allow using algae as a highly efficient platform for the sustainable production of chemicals, fostering the growth of the circular and bio-based economies, and reducing climate change contributions. Highly qualified personnel will be trained with the skills to develop and support the next generation of bioprocesses and to lead the transition towards a low carbon, more sustainable society.