Green Biorefinery Systems for the Production of Climate-Smart Sustainable Products From Grasses, Legumes and Green Crop Residues

Authors

James Gaffey, Circular Bioeconomy Research Group, Shannon Applied Biotechnology Centre, Munster Technological University, Tralee V92 CX88, Ireland; BiOrbic Bioeconomy Research Centre, University College Dublin, Belfield, Dublin 4, Ireland; Dept. of Environmental Engineering, University of Limerick, Castletroy, Limerick V94 T9PX, IrelandFollow
Gaurav Rajuaria, Circular Bioeconomy Research Group, Shannon Applied Biotechnology Centre, Munster Technological University, Tralee V92 CX88, Ireland; BiOrbic Bioeconomy Research Centre, University College Dublin, Belfield, Dublin 4, IrelandFollow
Helena McMahon, Circular Bioeconomy Research Group, Shannon Applied Biotechnology Centre, Munster Technological University, Tralee V92 CX88, Ireland; BiOrbic Bioeconomy Research Centre, University College Dublin, Belfield, Dublin 4, IrelandFollow
Rajeev Ravindran, Circular Bioeconomy Research Group, Shannon Applied Biotechnology Centre, Munster Technological University, Tralee V92 CX88, Ireland BiOrbic Bioeconomy Research Centre, University College Dublin, Belfield, Dublin 4, IrelandFollow
Carmen Dominguez, Circular Bioeconomy Research Group, Shannon Applied Biotechnology Centre, Munster Technological University, Tralee V92 CX88, Ireland BiOrbic Bioeconomy Research Centre, University College Dublin, Belfield, Dublin 4, IrelandFollow
Morten Ambye Jensen, Aarhus University, Department of Biological and Chemical Engineering, Nørregade 44, 8000 Aarhus C, Denmark
Macella F. Souza, Laboratory of Bioresource Recovery (RE-SOURCE LAB), Ghent University, Coupure Links 653, 9000 Ghent, Belgium
Erik Meers, Laboratory of Bioresource Recovery (RE-SOURCE LAB), Ghent University, Coupure Links 653, 9000 Ghent, Belgium
Marta Macias Aragonés, Technological Corporation of Andalusia (CTA), C Albert Einstein S/N, INSUR building, 4th floor, 41092 Seville, Spain
Dubravka Skunka, Faculty of Business and Law, MB University, Teodora Drajzera 27, 11040 Belgrade, Serbia
Johan P. M. Sanders, Grassa BV, Villafloraweg 1, 5928, SZ Venlo, the Netherlands; Valorization of Plant Production Chains, Wageningen University, Bornse Weilanden 9, 6708 WG Wageningen, the Netherlands

ORCID

https://orcid.org/0000-0003-2272-6921

Document Type

Preprint

Creative Commons License

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.

Disciplines

Biology | Biotechnology | Life Sciences

Publication Details

Biotechnology Advances. © 2023 Published by Elsevier Inc.

Abstract

Grasses, legumes and green plant wastes represent a ubiquitous feedstock for developing a bioeconomy in regions across Europe. These feedstocks are often an important source of ruminant feed, although much remains unused or underutilised. In addition to proteins, these materials are rich in fibres, sugars, minerals and other components that could also be used as inputs for bio-based product development. Green Biorefinery processes and initiatives are being developed to better capitalise on the potential of these feedstocks to produce sustainable food, feed, materials and energy in an integrated way. Such systems may support a more sustainable primary production sector, enable the valorisation of green waste streams, and provide new business models for farmers. This review presents the current developments in Green Biorefining, focusing on a broad feedstock and product base to include different models of Green Biorefinery. It demonstrates the potential and wide applicability of Green Biorefinery systems, the range of bio-based product opportunities and highlights the way forward for their broader implementation. While the potential for new products is extensive, quality control approval will be required prior to market entry.

Recommended Citation

James Gaffey, Gaurav Rajuaria, Helena McMahon, Rajeev Ravindran, Carmen Dominguez, Morten Ambye Jensen, Macella F. Souza, Erik Meers, Marta Macias Aragonés, Dubravka Skunca, Johan P.M. Sanders, Green Biorefinery systems for the production of climate-smart sustainable products from grasses, legumes and green crop residues, Biotechnology Advances, 2023, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.biotechadv.2023.108168.