Title : Biodiesel and protein from agricultural leftovers using insect biorefinery
Abstract:
Crop wastes have been explored as feedstock for biofuel production since they are a large lignocellulosic biomass, accounting for more than half of the world's agricultural phytomass. Nevertheless, issues with the process's cost-effectiveness, pre-treatment technique, and secondary pollutants have slowed its widespread use. Some species of insects, many of which are voracious consumers of organic wastes that may help solve environmental, economic, and health concerns, have been emphasised as a source of protein and fat to fulfil the expanding needs for food, feed, and energy as the world population continues to increase. Corn stover is degraded first by yellow mealworm (Tenebrio molitor L.), and then the remnants are used by black soldier flies (Hermetia illucens L.) in the biorefinery process. With a waste dry mass reduction rate of 52%, The insect biomass was obtained from these two insect-based biorefineries, which was then processed into crude grease from larval biomass, which in turn yielded of biodiesel, protein, and biofertilizer. Around 91% of the free fatty acids in the crude grease were converted into biodiesel. Corn stover's cellulose, hemicellulose, and lignin hydrolysed in synchronization, leading to corresponding decreases of 45%, 50%, and 58%. In addition to that, changes in the levels of fat, protein, and reducing sugar were examined as well. The results of the study showed that the sequential co-conversion of corn stover by insects with different feeding habits is a viable option for the efficient utilisation of lignocellulosic resources and could be a valuable answer to the problems of crop residues management, the increase in global liquid energy demand, and the need for animal feed.
