Enhanced volatile fatty acids production from anaerobic fermentation of food waste: A mini-review focusing on acidogenic metabolic pathways

Miaomiao Zhou, Binghua Yan*, Jonathan W C WONG, Yang Zhang

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalReview articlepeer-review

497 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

Recently, efficient disposal of food waste (FW) with potential resource recovery has attracted great attentions. Due to its easily biodegradable nature, rich nutrient availability and high moisture content, FW is regarded as favorable substrate for anaerobic digestion (AD). Both waste disposal and energy recovery can be fulfilled during AD of FW. Volatile fatty acids (VFAs) which are the products of the first-two stages of AD, are widely applied in chemical industry as platform chemicals recently. Concentration and distribution of VFAs is the result of acidogenic metabolic pathways, which can be affected by the micro-environment (e.g. pH) in the digester. Hence, the clear elucidation of the acidogenic metabolic pathways is essential for optimization of acidogenic process for efficient product recovery. This review summarizes major acidogenic metabolic pathways and regulating strategies for enhancing VFAs recovery during acidogenic fermentation of FW.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)68-78
Number of pages11
JournalBioresource Technology
Volume248
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - Jan 2018

Scopus Subject Areas

  • Bioengineering
  • Environmental Engineering
  • Renewable Energy, Sustainability and the Environment
  • Waste Management and Disposal

User-Defined Keywords

  • Anaerobic fermentation
  • Food waste
  • Metabolic pathway
  • Volatile fatty acids (VFAs)

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