Applications of Biotechnology for the Utilization of Renewable Energy Resources - Sustainable Biotechnology: Sources of Renewable Energy - page 3

be used to produce hydrogen or methane. In Chapter 7 “Waste to Renewable
Energy: A Sustainable and Green Approach Towards Production of Biohydrogen
by Acidogenic Fermentation”, Mohan provides a detailed review of the state of the
art with regard to biological hydrogen production using waste and wastewater as
substrates with dark fermentation processes.
Many biological processes use mixed cultures operating under non-sterile con-
ditions (e.g. biological hydrogen and methane production, as discussed above).
Watanabe et al. in Chapter 8 “Bacterial Communities in Various Conditions of
the Composting Reactor Revealed by 16S rDNA Clone Analysis and Denaturing
Gradient Gel Electrophoresis” demonstrate the utility of 16S rRNA analysis and
denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis (DGGE) techniques for tracking microbial
communities within a mixed and changing culture. Their work uses a composting
process, which offers a typically cost-effective alternative to incineration for the
remediation of contaminated soil.
The production of liquid fuel from biomass necessitates the consideration of var-
ious issues such as the effects on the food supply, the rainforest, and greenhouse
gas production, as well as carbon sustainability certification. Some of these issues
may require appropriate regulations and in Chapter 9 “Perspectives on Bioenergy
and Biofuels” , Scott et al., examine these issues closely.
In addition to its environmental advantages, the use of renewable energy
resources offers the potential for stimulation of the economies of the nations where
they are produced. The potential products of these renewable materials extend well
beyond liquid fuels alone. Owing partly to the enormous volume of their produc-
tion, fuels are sold for relatively low prices, and the successful implementation of
renewable fuels depends, at least initially, on their ability to compete in the mar-
ketplace. To this end, it is particularly important to maximize the efficiency of their
production in biorefineries where secondary products would be derived from the
same feedstock as the fuels. As an example, petroleum refineries have been in oper-
ation for over 150 years and now produce lubricants, plastics, solvents, detergents,
etc., all from the starting crude oil [6]. Similarly, biomass, in addition to being
used for the production of fuels, can be used as a starting material for the pro-
duction of other value-added products of microbial bioconversion processes such
as fermentable sugars, organic acids and enzymes. In Chapter 10 “Perspectives on
Chemicals from Renewable Resources”, Scott et al. describe how, with the aid of
biotechnology, Protamylase R generated from starch production, can be used as a
medium for the production of a cynophycin polymer, which is a major source of
arginine and aspartic acid for the production of many industrially useful compounds
including 1,4-butanediamine and succinic acid. In Chapter 11 “Microbial Lactic
Acid Production from Renewable Resources”, Li and Cui describe the production
of lactic acid from renewable resources such as starch biomass, cheese whey etc.
Lactic acid has recently gained attention due its application to the manufacture of
biodegradable polymers. Among other renewable resources, Chapter 12 “Microbial
Production of Potent Phenolic-Antioxidants Through Solid State Fermentation”,
Martin et al. describe the role of agroindustrial residues including plant tissues rich
in polyphenols for the microbial bioconversion of potent phenolics under solid state