By Blake Jackson
Switchgrass, a resilient non-food crop, holds strong potential for producing plant-based fuels like ethanol and isobutanol with the help of microbes.
However, drought conditions can lead to increased levels of inhibitory compounds in switchgrass, reducing its efficiency in fermentation and lowering overall biofuel yields.
Research has shown that treating drought-affected switchgrass with a combination of ammonia, water, and enzymes, followed by adjusting the pH of the hydrolysate, improves microbial fermentation and boosts biofuel production.
While electric vehicles are growing in popularity, electrification is less practical for aviation. This has led to increased interest in sustainable aviation fuels (SAFs), particularly those derived from alcohols that have been chemically upgraded.
Switchgrass is considered a promising feedstock for these alcohol-to-jet fuels due to its ability to grow on marginal land and produce six times more energy than is needed to cultivate it.
As climate change continues to bring more frequent and severe droughts, it’s essential for biorefineries to adapt and find ways to maintain high fuel yields. In one study, switchgrass grown in Wisconsin during the severe 2012 drought showed significantly reduced fermentation efficiency using Saccharomyces cerevisiae compared to grass grown in normal conditions, highlighting the need for improved processing techniques.
Photo Credit: drought-gettyimages-zhuda
Categories: Wisconsin, Crops