5th CIGR International Conference 2021
Abstract
Use of Metabolomics to Identify Value-Added Chemicals from Fermentation of Various Biomass Residues The use of biomass residues as feedstock for fuels, chemicals and energy simultaneously helps reduce dependence on fossil-based resources and contribute to sustainable waste management. Biological methods for processing biomass residues (e.g. bacterial, fungal and enzymatic) are appealing as eco-friendly alternatives to physico-chemical strategies. Here, four different biomass residue substrates -corn cob, apple pomace, synthetic food waste, and hardwood chips- were digested via fermentation with Penicillium purpurogenum. The resulting water-soluble metabolites were analyzed using LC-MS. Of the detected metabolites, many were featured among the ?top chemical opportunities? identified by the US Department of Energy including furans, sugar alcohols and organic acids. 2,5-Furandicarboxylic acid (FDCA) was among those identified and to the best of our knowledge this is the first example of fungal production of FDCA.