EQ-Artigoshttp://hdl.handle.net/10347/122622024-03-29T09:08:08Z2024-03-29T09:08:08ZReview of potential and prospective strategies for the valorization of coffee grounds within the framework of a sustainable and circular bioeconomyArias Calvo, AnaIoannidou, Sofia-MariaGiannakis, NikosFeijoo Costa, GumersindoMoreira Vilar, María TeresaKoutinas, Apostolishttp://hdl.handle.net/10347/332562024-03-21T09:21:43Z2023-01-01T00:00:00ZReview of potential and prospective strategies for the valorization of coffee grounds within the framework of a sustainable and circular bioeconomy
Arias Calvo, Ana; Ioannidou, Sofia-Maria; Giannakis, Nikos; Feijoo Costa, Gumersindo; Moreira Vilar, María Teresa; Koutinas, Apostolis
Moving from the linear production model to the circular economy approach is the main concern of the EU Circular Economy Action Plan. Population growth coupled with high demand for goods has led to a significant increase in solid waste, especially food waste, triggering the depletion of natural resources and the environmental burdens associated to their disposal. However, their physical, chemical and biological characteristics make them by-products with a high potential to be valorized and therefore used as resources for other industrial production models. This is the case of spent coffee grounds (SCGs), which are produced in large quantities on a daily basis. Therefore, valorization models under the approach of the biorefinery concept can be envisaged with the aims of recovering potential bioactive compounds and renewable energy. This has been the approach developed in this critical review, in which SCG recovery alternatives have been studied to obtain lignin, lipids, biofuels and phenolic compounds. In addition, a critical analysis of the outcomes of techno-economic and environmental evaluations available in the literature is included, in order to identify those indicators that provide information on the feasibility of their valorization.
2023-01-01T00:00:00ZSeparation of CO2 using biochar and KOH and ZnCl2 activated carbons derived from pine sawdustPimentel, Catarina HelenaDíaz Fernández, LidiaGómez Díaz, DiegoFreire Leira, María SoniaGonzález Álvarez, Juliahttp://hdl.handle.net/10347/332432024-03-21T09:21:43Z2023-01-01T00:00:00ZSeparation of CO2 using biochar and KOH and ZnCl2 activated carbons derived from pine sawdust
Pimentel, Catarina Helena; Díaz Fernández, Lidia; Gómez Díaz, Diego; Freire Leira, María Sonia; González Álvarez, Julia
Due to the CO2 emissions and greenhouse effect, reducing its harmful impacts on climatic conditions is necessary. CO2 adsorption in a microporous carbon structure is one of the more effective separation techniques to avoid this type of emissions. In this work, one biochar (BC) and five activated carbons (ACs) were produced from Pinus radiata sawdust by chemical activation with potassium hydroxide (KOH) or zinc chloride (ZnCl2). Characterization was performed by scanning and transmission electron microscopy (SEM and TEM), surface area and pore size distribution by volumetric N2 and CO2 adsorption experiments using the Brunauer-Emmet-Teller (BET) and Barret-Joyner-Halenda (BJH) methods, respectively, X-ray diffraction (XRD), elemental analysis and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). The performance efficiency of the carbons was analyzed in terms of CO2 adsorption capacity at an absolute pressure range of 0–760 mmHg and at different temperatures (0, 25 and 50 ºC). The apparent and IAST selectivity of CO2 over N2 were determined and all carbons showed preferential sorption for CO2. Langmuir, Freundlich and Toth isotherms were employed to analyze pure CO2 and N2 adsorption data and the Toth isotherm gave the best fit. The carbon activated at 600ºC with KOH at a ratio of 1:4 w/w achieved the largest CO2 uptake (5.79 mmol/g at 0 °C and 750 mmHg) due to a combination between high microporosity (89 %) and surface area (2437 m2/g). This carbon also reached a relatively high selectivity
2023-01-01T00:00:00ZComparative life cycle analysis of PHA-based consumer items for daily useSaavedra del Oso, MateoNair, RakeshMauricio Iglesias, MiguelHospido Quintana, Almudenahttp://hdl.handle.net/10347/331722024-03-21T09:21:43Z2023-01-01T00:00:00ZComparative life cycle analysis of PHA-based consumer items for daily use
Saavedra del Oso, Mateo; Nair, Rakesh; Mauricio Iglesias, Miguel; Hospido Quintana, Almudena
USABLE Packaging project has developed an innovative value chain based on mixed microbial cultures using organic wastes as feedstock to produce prototypes of PHA-based items that were compared to their commercial counterparts, so the expected better environmental performance can be checked. To do so, a cradle-to-grave life cycle assessment was carried out. The system was modeled integrating all available knowledge, from pilot-scale data to process simulators, and following upscaling frameworks. PHA-based items outperform their commercial counterparts since they show environmental benefits thanks to the avoided electricity obtained in the cogeneration heat and power unit within the PHA production; however, these environmental benefits are very sensitive to the substituted electricity environmental burdens. The different levels of development and market implementation are seen as critical and therefore attention should be paid on how upscaling affects the results and interpretation of the LCA while serving as a guide for process and product development
2023-01-01T00:00:00ZResveratrol-based biorefinery models for favoring its inclusion along the market value-added chains: A critical reviewArias Calvo, AnaCosta, Carlos E.Moreira Vilar, María TeresaFeijoo Costa, GumersindoDomingues, Lucíliahttp://hdl.handle.net/10347/331712024-03-21T09:21:45Z2024-01-01T00:00:00ZResveratrol-based biorefinery models for favoring its inclusion along the market value-added chains: A critical review
Arias Calvo, Ana; Costa, Carlos E.; Moreira Vilar, María Teresa; Feijoo Costa, Gumersindo; Domingues, Lucília
Resveratrol, a natural organic polyhydroxyphenolic compound, has gained significant attention in the last years given its potential health benefits, including antioxidant, anti-cancer, and anti-inflammatory properties. It can be directly extracted from plants, vegetables, and related products and waste resources, but also chemically/enzymatically/microbially synthesized. However, certain process strategies have some limitations, such as high costs, reduced yield or high energy demand, thus implying significant environmental loads. In this context, the search for more sustainable and circular process schemes is key to the integration of resveratrol into the market value chain of the food, cosmetic and pharmaceutical sectors. The extraction of resveratrol has traditionally been based on conventional methods such as solvent extraction, but advanced green extraction techniques offer more efficient and environmentally friendly alternatives. This review analyses both conventional and green alternative extraction technologies, as well as its bioproduction through microbial fermentation, in terms of production capacity, yield, purity and sustainability. It also presents alternative biorefinery models based on resveratrol bioproduction using by-products and waste streams as resources, specifically considering wine residues, peanut shells and wood bark as input resources, and also following a circular approach. This critical review provides some insight into the opportunities that resveratrol offers for promoting sustainable development and circularity in the related market value chains, and thus provides some criteria for decision making for biorefinery models in which resveratrol is one of the targeted high value-added products. It also identifies the future challenges to promote the inclusion of resveratrol in value chains, with the scale-up of green technologies and its demonstrated economic feasibility being the most prominent
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