Anaerobic Bioconversion of Mixed Fruit Waste into Organic Acids and a Multifunctional Enzymatic Bioproduct in a Stirred-Tank Bioreactor Using Wickerhamomyces sp. UFFS-CE-3.1.2 Vitória Dassoler Longo, Nair Mirely Freire Pinheiro Silveira, Marcelli Powzum Amorim, Emanuely Fagundes da Silva, Isabely Sandi Baldasso, et al. Microorganisms, 2026 The microbial valorization of agro-industrial residues is a promising strategy for sustainable bioprocesses and the development of a circular bioeconomy. In this study, mixed fruit peel waste was anaerobically fermented in a stirred-tank bioreactor using Wickerhamomyces sp. UFFS-CE-3.1.2 to produce organic acids and a multifunctional enzymatic bioproduct. During fermentation, sugars decreased from 6.51 to 0.22 g L−1, leading to the formation of citric acid (7.65 g L−1), ethanol (3.77 g L−1), glycerol (0.53 g L−1), and acetic acid (0.37 g L−1). The accumulation of organic acids likely imposed metabolic stress on the yeast, triggering physiological responses that mitigate oxidative stress. Consequently, the resulting enzymatic extract exhibited high lipase activity (185.63 U mL−1), late catalase induction (520.97 U mL−1), and stable superoxide dismutase activity (50 U mL−1). This enzymatic profile indicates the formation of a stress-adapted microbial system with potential applicability in processes involving lipid hydrolysis and oxidative mechanisms. The process was conducted without supplementation of synthetic medium and operated stably in a stirred-tank bioreactor. Overall, these results suggest a feasible microbial strategy for converting fruit waste into value-added bioproducts, contributing to the development of sustainable biotechnological processes.
Enzyme production by Trichoderma koningiopsis in an airlift bioreactor: potential for sustainable and circular bioproducts Marcelli Powzum Amorim, Fernanda dos Santos Correa, Vitória Dassoler Longo, Helen Treichel Revista Brasileira De Ciencias Ambientais, 2026 economy highlight the search for more efficient processes with lower environmental impacts. In this context, this study investigated the production of an enzyme-rich fungal extract obtained from Trichoderma koningiopsis, a species known for its high enzyme excretion capacity, widely explored in scientific research focused on agronomic and environmental applications. The enzyme-rich fungal extract was obtained through submerged fermentation in a chemically defined culture medium, using an Airlift bioreactor, with samples collected at 24 and 48 hours for subsequent analysis of enzymatic activity. The enzymes amylase, cellulase, laccase, protease, lipase, ascorbate peroxidase, catalase, superoxide dismutase, and peroxidase were evaluated, with noteworthy results observed within the first 24 hours of fermentation: amylase (209.55 U/mL), cellulase (23.34 U/mL), protease (139.77 U/mL), peroxidase (609.55 U/mL), catalase (3,598.82 U/mL), superoxide dismutase (333.51 U/mL), and ascorbate peroxidase (53.34 U/mL). Enzymatic activity (U/mL) represented the primary parameter, and specific activity (U/mg protein) was additionally calculated to support a purity assessment. These findings demonstrate an enzyme-rich fungal extract with high biotechnological potential, offering purification and future applications in sectors such as bioprocesses, bioremediation, and other environmental solutions, thereby contributing to sustainable circular-economy strategies and supporting the future development of biocomposite-based formulations.
Plastic Waste Valorization Plastic Waste Valorization Strategies to Tackle Plastic Waste Pollution for Sustainable Environment, 2026
Preface Plastic Waste Valorization Strategies to Tackle Plastic Waste Pollution for Sustainable Environment, 2026
Circular Bioprocessing of Chlorella sp. Biomass via Wickerhamomyces sp. UFFS-CE-3.1.2 Fermentation for the Production of High-Value Enzymes, Glycerol, and Acetic Acid Vitória Dassoler Longo, Marcelli Powzum Amorim, Nair Mirely Freire Pinheiro Silveira, Isabely Sandi Baldasso, Emanuely Fagundes da Silva, et al. Processes, 2026 The transition to a circular economy and the pursuit of environmental sustainability are driving humanity to develop alternative technologies for producing a range of bioproducts. In this context, microbial-mediated fermentation processes have gained prominence. Although yeasts are well known for their ability to produce alcohols, they can also generate a wide range of value-added bioproducts. At the same time, microalgae emerge as an advantageous unconventional raw material, as their cultivation does not require arable land, thus avoiding competition with food production. To meet this demand, this study aimed to produce biocomposites through submerged fermentation using biomass from the microalgae Chlorella sp. Enzymatic hydrolysis was optimized using a 22 Central Composite Rotational Design (CCRD), with algal biomass and enzyme mass as independent variables. This step was followed by fermentation with the yeast Wickerhamomyces sp. UFFS-CE-3.1.2. The enzyme alpha amylase employed is of commercial origin, commonly used in the brewing industry, characterized by its easy accessibility and lower environmental impact compared to chemical hydrolysis methods. The results demonstrated that the combination of microalgae biomass with the enzyme preparation led to the production of several compounds of interest, such as highly active enzymes, mainly protease (560 U/mL), catalase (3381 U/mL), and peroxidase (277 U/mL), as well as other compounds, such as glycerol (32.5 g/L) and acetic acid (22.8 g/L). These products have wide industrial applications and a strong market demand, reinforcing the potential of the yeast–microalgae synergy for the sustainable production of high-value biocompounds, which represents a matrix of environmentally friendly products.
