An up-to-date overview of diverse findings and accomplishments in biocatalysis and bioenergy With the high price of petroleum and researchers worldwide seeking new means of producing energy, this comprehensive book on biocatalysis for bioenergy and biofuel applications is very timely. It combines information on state-of-the-art advances and in-depth reviews of the latest achievements in biocatalysis and bioenergy, emphasizing biodiesel, bioethanol, and industrial products. The advantages of biocatalysis include high specificity, efficiency, energy conservation, and pollution reduction. Biocatalysis and Bioenergy details advances in the field, with: * Three primary sections, covering biodiesel research, bioethanol, and industrial products * Information on enzyme catalysis, biotransformation, bioconversion, fermentation, genetic engineering, and product recovery * * Contributions from leading experts worldwide who share their research and findings The prospect of using biocatalysis for the production of energy has great potential due to its cost-effectiveness, the fact that it does not require a limited resource such as oil, and its potential universality of application and use globally. This is the definitive reference for biochemists and biochemical engineers, bioprocess and bioenergy scientists, physical and oil chemists (oleochemists), microbiologists, industrial microbiologists, molecular biologists, metabolic engineers working in biocatalysis, bioethanol, and biodiesel fuels, DOE scientists working on renewable energy, and other professionals in related fields.

This reference book originates from the interdisciplinary research cooperation between academia and industry. In three distinct parts, latest results from basic research on stable enzymes are explained and brought into context with possible industrial applications. Downstream processing technology as well as biocatalytic and biotechnological production processes from global players display the enormous potential of biocatalysts. Application of "extreme" reaction conditions (i.e. unconventional, such as high temperature, pressure, and pH value) - biocatalysts are normally used within a well defined process window - leads to novel synthetic effects. Both novel enzyme systems and the synthetic routes in which they can be applied are made accessible to the reader. In addition, the complementary innovative process technology under unconventional conditions is highlighted by latest examples from biotech industry.

Worldwide energy and food crises are spotlighting the importance of bio-based products - an area many are calling on for solutions to these shortages. Biocatalysis and Agricultural Biotechnology encapsulates the cutting-edge advances in the field with contributions from more than 50 international experts comprising sectors of academia, industry, an

The edited volume presents the progress of first and second generation biofuel production technology in selected countries. Possibility of producing alternative fuels containing biocomponents and selected research methods of biofuels exploitation characteristics (also aviation fuels) was characterized. The book shows also some aspects of the environmental impact of the production and biofuels using, and describes perspectives of biofuel production technology development. It provides the review of biorefinery processes with a particular focus on pretreatment methods of selected primary and secondary raw materials. The discussion includes also a possibility of sustainable development of presented advanced biorefinery processes.

This book provides in-depth insights into the most recent developments in different areas of microbial methane and methanol utilization, including novel fundamental discoveries in genomics and physiology, innovative strategies for metabolic engineering and new synthetic approaches for generation of feedstocks, chemicals and fuels from methane, and finally economics and the implementation of industrial biocatalysis using methane consuming bacteria. Methane, as natural gas or biogas, penetrates every area of human activity, from households to large industries and is often promoted as the cleanest fuel. However, one should not forget that this bundle of energy, carbon, and hydrogen comes with an exceptionally large environmental footprint. To meet goals of long-term sustainability and human well-being, all areas of energy, chemicals, agriculture, waste-management industries must go beyond short-term economic considerations and target both large and small methane emissions. The search for new environment-friendly approaches for methane capture and valorization is an ongoing journey. While it is not yet apparent which innovation might represent the best solution, it is evident that methane biocatalysis is one of the most promising paths. Microbes are gatekeepers of fugitive methane in Nature. Methane-consuming microbes are typically small in number but exceptionally big in their impact on the natural carbon cycle. They control and often completely eliminate methane emission from a variety of biological and geothermal sources. The tremendous potential of these microbial systems, is only now being implemented in human-made systems. The book addresses professors, researchers and graduate students from both academia and industry working in microbial biotechnology, molecular biology and chemical engineering.

The synergy between synthetic biology and biocatalysis is emerging as an important trend for future sustainable processes. This book reviews all modern and novel techniques successfully implemented in biocatalysis, in an effort to provide better performing enzymatic systems and novel biosynthetic routes to (non-)natural products. This includes the use of molecular techniques in protein design and engineering, construction of artificial metabolic pathways, and application of computational methods for enzyme discovery and design. Stress is placed on current ‘hot’ topics in biocatalysis, where recent advances in research are defining new grounds in enzyme-catalyzed processes. With contributions from leading academics around the world, this book makes a ground-breaking contribution to this progressive field and is essential reading for graduates and researchers investigating (bio)catalysis, enzyme engineering, chemical biology, and synthetic biology.

This new volume, Biocatalysis and Agricultural Biotechnology: Fundamentals, Advances, and Practices for a Greener Future, looks at the application of a variety of technologies, both fundamental and advanced, that are being used for crop improvement, metabolic engineering, and the development of transgenic plants. The science of agriculture is among the oldest and most intensely studied by mankind. Human intervention has led to manipulation of plant gene structure for the use of plants for the production of bioenergy, food, textiles, among other industrial uses. A sound knowledge of enzymology as well as the various biosynthetic pathways is required to further utilize microbes as sources to provide the desired products for industrial utility. This volume provides an overview of all these aspects along with an updated review of the major plant biotechnology procedures and techniques, their impact on novel agricultural development, and crop plant improvement. Also discussed are the use of "white biotechnology" and "metabolic engineering" as prerequisites for a sustainable development. The importance of patenting of plant products, world food safety, and the role of several imminent organizations is also discussed. The volume provides an holistic view that makes it a valuable source of information for researchers of agriculture and biotechnology as well as agricultural engineers, environmental biologists, environmental engineers, and environmentalists. Short exercises at the end of the chapters help to make the book suitable for course work in agriculture biotechnology, genetics, biology, biotechnology, and plant science.

An authoritative summary of the quest for an environmentally sustainable synthesis process of nanomaterials and their application for environmental sustainability Green Synthesis of Nanomaterials for Bioenergy Applications is an important guide that provides information on the fabrication of nanomaterial and the application of low cost, green methods. The book also explores the impact on various existing bioenergy approaches. Throughout the book, the contributors—noted experts on the topic—offer a reliable summary of the quest for an environmentally sustainable synthesis process of nanomaterials and their application to the field of environmental sustainability. The green synthesis of nanoparticles process has been widely accepted as a promising technique that can be applied to a variety of fields. The green nanotechnology-based production processes to fabricate nanomaterials operates under green conditions without the intervention of toxic chemicals. The book’s exploration of more reliable and sustainable processes for the synthesis of nanomaterials, can lead to the commercial application of the economically viability of low-cost biofuels production. This important book: Summarizes the quest for an environmentally sustainable synthesis process of nanomaterials for their application to the field of environmental sustainability Offers an alternate, sustainable green energy approach that can be commercially implemented worldwide Covers recent approaches such as fabrication of nanomaterial that apply low cost, green methods and examines its impact on various existing bioenergy applications Written for researchers, academics and students of nanotechnology, nanosciences, bioenergy, material science, environmental sciences, and pollution control, Green Synthesis of Nanomaterials for Bioenergy Applications is a must-have guide that covers green synthesis and characterization of nanomaterials for cost effective bioenergy applications.

This book describes recent progress in enzyme-driven green syntheses of industrially important molecules. The first three introductory chapters overview recent technological advances in enzymes and cell-based transformations, and green chemistry metrics for synthetic efficiency. The remaining chapters are directed to case studies in biotechnological production of pharmaceuticals (small molecules, natural products and biologics), flavors, fragrance and cosmetics, fine chemicals, value-added chemicals from glucose and biomass, and polymeric materials. The book is aimed to facilitate the industrial applications of this powerful and emerging green technology, and catalyze the advancement of the technology itself.

Reviews recent advances in catalytic biodiesel synthesis, highlighting various nanocatalysts and nano(bio)catalysts developed for effective biodiesel production Nano- and Biocatalysts for Biodiesel Production delivers an essential reference for academic and industrial researchers in biomass valorization and biofuel industries. The book covers both nanocatalysts and biocatalysts, bridging the gap between homogenous and heterogenous catalysis. Readers will learn about the techno-economical and environmental aspects of biodiesel production using different feedstocks and catalysts. They will also discover how nano(bio)catalysts can be used as effective alternatives to conventional catalysts in biodiesel production due to their unique properties, including reusability, high activation energy and rate of reaction, easy recovery, and recyclability. Readers will benefit from the inclusion of: Introductions to CaO nanocatalysts, zeolite nanocatalysts, titanium dioxide-based nanocatalysts and zinc-based in biodiesel production An exploration of carbon-based heterogeneous nanocatalysts for the production of biodiesel Practical discussions of bio-based nano catalysts for biodiesel production and the application of nanoporous materials as heterogeneous catalysts for biodiesel production An analysis of the techno-economical considerations of biodiesel production using different feedstocks Nano- and Biocatalysts for Biodiesel Production focuses on recent advances in the field and offers a complete and informative guide for academic researchers and industrial scientists working in the fields of biofuels and bioenergy, catalysis, biotechnology, bioengineering, nanotechnology, and materials science.