Potentials of Biomass Waste Valorization: Case of South America

SOFÍA SAMPAOLESI; LAURA BRIAND; MARIO C. N. SAPARRAT; TOLEDO, MARÍA VÍCTORA

Sustainability (Switzerland)

MDPI

Lugar: Basel; Año: 2023 vol. 15

Various surveys carried out by the government and scientific projects on the availability ofdirect and indirect waste biomass in South America have reported that Brazil and Colombia produce97% of the total waste biomass in the region, directly obtained from their extensive plantations ofsugarcane. In addition, Argentina generates 45% of the total indirect biomass, followed by Brazil,Peru, Chile and Paraguay. The major source of those residues comprises sub-products of the wood(43%) and alimentary industries (20% from sugarcane and 11% from tea). Meaningful quantitiesof agricultural waste originate from soybean and corn, as the continent produces 50% and 11% ofthe global harvest of these crops. The higher content of cellulose in eucalyptus and willow waste(49%), among woody residues, along with their low lignin levels, makes them more suitable fordelignification and exploitation as a biorefinery feedstock. Regarding the remains of agroindustrialactivities, sugarcane bagasse (53%), corn cob (40%), wheat straw (49%) and banana hulls (38%) arethe remarkable ones. In this context, the latest research concerning the use of commercial enzymaticcocktails for cellulose and hemicellulose deconstruction and the consequent feedstock hydrolysis isreviewed. In addition, we introduce the potential applications of cellulases isolated from native LatinAmerican microbiota explored by South American research groups.