title: γ-Alumina as a process advancing tool for a new generation biofuel.
abstract: The production of volatile fatty acids (VFAs) in a continuous process using a synthetic glucose medium as model substrate in the presence of γ-alumina as promoter is described. The results showed formation of acetic, propionic, isobutyric, butyric, isovaleric and valeric acids, with acetic acid being more than 90% of the total VFAs produced. It is also highlighted that γ-alumina enhanced the simultaneous production of acetic acid and ethanol, which in some cases was formed at concentrations able to esterify about 85% of the produced VFAs. Since most agro-industrial effluents can be treated by anaerobic acidogenic digestion, while lignocellulosic biomass can be converted to VFAs after hydrolysis, this contribution can lead to a breakthrough in the research of biofuel production from renewable waste sources.
authors: Department of Chemistry, University of Patras, Patras 26500, Greece.
authors: Kostas
authors: K
authors: Syngiridis
authors: Argyro
authors: A
authors: Bekatorou
authors: Mihalis
authors: M
authors: Kallis
authors: Panagiotis
authors: P
authors: Kandylis
authors: Maria
authors: M
authors: Kanellaki
authors: Athanasios A
authors: AA
authors: Koutinas
mesh_terms: D000537:Aluminum Oxide / Q000378:metabolism*; D001421:Bacteria, Anaerobic / Q000378:metabolism*; D056804:Biofuels; D002849:Chromatography, Gas; D005232:Fatty Acids, Volatile / Q000096:biosynthesis* / Q000378:metabolism; D005285:Fermentation; D005947:Glucose / Q000378:metabolism*
chemical_list: D056804:Biofuels; D005232:Fatty Acids, Volatile; D005947:Glucose; D000537:Aluminum Oxide