Biotechnology and the utilization of biowaste as a resource for bioproduct development.
There is widespread concern that increasing concentrations of carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases in the earth's atmosphere will ultimately lead to climate changes. Recognizing the important role that fossil fuels have in the economies and lifestyles of people throughout the world, it is reasonable to ask if the global economy can be powered in ways that might have less impact on the environment because they discharge less carbon dioxide. A way of addressing this sensitive issue could be through the biodevelopment of biowaste as an alternative and renewable energy resource. Landfilling and incineration are popular ways to deal with biowaste but both cause negative environmental effects such as the use of valuable land and production of dangerous gases. The structural components of cells, cellulose and hemicellulose, make biowaste very susceptible for bioproduct development and biowaste offers biotechnology an opportunity to assist in maintaining environmental quality.
van Wyk
J P
JP
Dept of Pharmacology and Therapeutics, Box 225, Medical University of Southern Africa (MEDUNSA), South Africa, 0204. vanwykz@yahoo.com
D001709:Biotechnology / Q000639:trends*; D002245:Carbon Dioxide / Q000737:chemistry; D002482:Cellulose / Q000737:chemistry; D000431:Ethanol / Q000737:chemistry; D008956:Models, Chemical; D018505:Waste Management; D014866:Waste Products
D014866:Waste Products; D002245:Carbon Dioxide; D000431:Ethanol; D002482:Cellulose