Value Addition of Anaerobic Digestate From Biowaste: Thinking Beyond Agriculture

Guneet Kaur*, Jonathan W.C. Wong, Rajat Kumar, Raffel Dharma Patria, Anuja Bhardwaj, Kristiadi Uisan, Johnravindar Davidraj

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalReview articlepeer-review

33 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

Purpose of Review: This article aims to shed light on the various value-added opportunities arising from the valorization of digestate nutrients. As opposed to the conventional applications of digestate for land/soil applications, this review discusses the key bioconversion routes to microalgae, biofuels, biochemicals, and enzymes production in which digestate is utilized as a feedstock for microorganisms to produce high-value bio-based products. Recent Findings: A comprehensive analysis of key digestate valorization schemes in this review showed that microalgal cultivation and biopesticide production results obtained using digestate provide new directions to optimally utilize this resource. Pilot scale and long-term performance, and environmental assessment of these digestate-based productions will govern their success within the bioeconomy scheme in the near future. Summary: Recovery of nutrients from digestate of anaerobic digestion (AD) and its use as a feedstock in biotechnological processes is an environmentally benign and socially responsible method to treat the waste digestate appearing from digestion plants. The replacement of cost-intensive pure nutrients by digestate could improve the economic feasibility of bioprocesses. This fits in the advanced biorefinery model within the circular bioeconomy scheme by providing new and alternative markets for digestate while increasing the economic incentives for AD.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)48-55
Number of pages8
JournalCurrent Sustainable/Renewable Energy Reports
Volume7
Issue number2
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - Jun 2020

Scopus Subject Areas

  • Energy Engineering and Power Technology
  • Fuel Technology
  • Renewable Energy, Sustainability and the Environment
  • Engineering (miscellaneous)

User-Defined Keywords

  • Advanced biorefinery
  • Anaerobic digestion
  • Bioprocessing
  • Digestate valorization
  • Fermentation

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