Microbial Valorization of Sugarcane Processing Wastes: Insights into Life Cycle Assessment and Life Cycle Costing Estimations as a Key Decision-Making Tool
摘要
Agrowastes have been recognized as a valuable resource promoting biobased economy via valorizing these wastes to into biobased products. The microbial processing route has been favored for being environment-friendly and economical compared to the traditional conversion methods. This chapter provides a detailed account of microbial valorization of different sugarcane wastes. The availability and potential for implementation in already existing bioethanol plants make sugarcane wastes an attractive alternative to produce high-value products. Alone or combined with nutrient supplements, the sugarcane wastes (bagasse, molasses, vinasse, and press mud) could be used as the substrate in fermentation processes saving costly chemicals and energy. Though several studies point out low energy use and emissions in microbial valorization techniques, only a few have quantified them. Further, the cost contribution of microbial processing in the manufacturing of the final product needs to be an integrated part of such valorization studies. The most overlooked aspect is considerations to the environmental and economic performance of these valorized systems and the logistics’ management avoiding the risk of disrupting the existing supply chains. Comparing biobased product with their conventional equivalents can be accomplished through life cycle assessment and life cycle costing estimations. The results of such assessments could help identify the processes with a balance of environmental and economic benefits for implementation on a large scale.