title: Ultrasonic intensification as a tool for enhanced microbial biofuel yields.
abstract: Ultrasonication has recently received attention as a novel bioprocessing tool for process intensification in many areas of downstream processing. Ultrasonic intensification (periodic ultrasonic treatment during the fermentation process) can result in a more effective homogenization of biomass and faster energy and mass transfer to biomass over short time periods which can result in enhanced microbial growth. Ultrasonic intensification can allow the rapid selective extraction of specific biomass components and can enhance product yields which can be of economic benefit. This review focuses on the role of ultrasonication in the extraction and yield enhancement of compounds from various microbial sources, specifically algal and cyanobacterial biomass with a focus on the production of biofuels. The operating principles associated with the process of ultrasonication and the influence of various operating conditions including ultrasonic frequency, power intensity, ultrasonic duration, reactor designs and kinetics applied for ultrasonic intensification are also described.
authors.affiliation: Molecular Biochemistry Laboratory, Materials and Surface Science Institute, Department of Chemical and Environmental Sciences, University of Limerick, Limerick, Ireland.
authors.forename: Balakrishnan
authors.identifier: 0000-0002-3880-6451
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Naveena
authors.affiliation: Molecular Biochemistry Laboratory, Materials and Surface Science Institute, Department of Chemical and Environmental Sciences, University of Limerick, Limerick, Ireland.
authors.forename: Patricia
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Armshaw
authors.affiliation: Molecular Biochemistry Laboratory, Materials and Surface Science Institute, Department of Chemical and Environmental Sciences, University of Limerick, Limerick, Ireland.
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Tony Pembroke
keywords: Algal and cyanobacterial biofuels; Ultrasonic intensification; Ultrasonic reactors; Yield enhancement