Processing and Analytical Methods for the Development of Value-Added Products from Lignocellulosic Biomass

TOPICAL COLLECTIONS

Guest Editor

Samkelo Malgas

University of Pretoria, Hatfield, South Africa

<p>Dr. Malgas is a senior lecturer at the University of Pretoria. He holds a Ph.D. and PGDipHE from Rhodes University and a Certificate in Bio-entrepreneurship from Continuing Education (now Enterprises) at the University of Pretoria. Dr. Malgas is the principal investigator in the Bio-catalysis and Processing research group. His research interest is focused on driving biorefinery for the bioeconomy through enzyme biotechnology. He specifically focuses on the application of carbohydrate-active enzymes in the food and feed sector, fine chemicals, and in nutraceutical production from agro-processing plant waste. To date, he has co-authored more than 30 articles in peer-reviewed journals and three book chapters, and has filed a patent as a coinventor. Through supervision and co-supervision, he has graduated over 15 postgraduate students to date. He also serves as a reviewer for numerous National Research Foundation of South Africa bursaries and researcher awards, and peer-reviewed journals in his discipline. </p>

Collection Overview

Developing biorefineries to reduce dependence on fossil chemicals and promote a circular economy is a goal that many countries have embraced. Lignocellulosic biomass, the most abundant organic waste generated across various sectors, holds immense potential for producing value-added products in the food and biofuel industries.

However, significant barriers persist in using lignocellulosic biomass to produce value-added products. These obstacles pertain to pre-treatment, hydrolysis, fermentation, downstream processes aimed at obtaining highly purified products, and the advanced, precise quantitative characterization of these products. These challenges make commercialization difficult.

A comprehensive presentation of recent advances in bioprocesses and green processes for producing value-added products from biomass and their characterization will support the development of innovative ideas for the sustainable use of lignocellulosic biomass, leading to the realization of a circular economy.

This Methods Collection aims to compile novel green and biological processing approaches for producing value-added products from lignocellulose and methods for identifying and quantifying these products. The focus is on methods that are not only cost-effective but also scalable for industrial applications.