Enhanced volatile fatty acids production from anaerobic fermentation of food waste: A mini-review focusing on acidogenic metabolic pathways

• Published in: Bioresource technology Vol. 248; no. Pt A; pp. 68 - 78
• Main Authors: Zhou, Miaomiao, Yan, Binghua, Wong, Jonathan W.C., Zhang, Yang
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: England Elsevier Ltd 01.01.2018
• Subjects: Acids; anaerobic digestion; Anaerobic fermentation; Anaerobiosis; biochemical pathways; biodegradability; Bioreactors; chemical industry; energy recovery; Fatty Acids, Volatile; Fermentation; Food; Food waste; Metabolic Networks and Pathways; Metabolic pathway; nutrient availability; volatile fatty acids; Volatile fatty acids (VFAs); waste disposal; water content; Food waste; Volatile fatty acids (VFAs); Anaerobic fermentation; Metabolic pathway
• ISSN: 0960-8524; 1873-2976; 1873-2976
• DOI: 10.1016/j.biortech.2017.06.121

•Major acidogenic metabolic pathways during anaerobic fermentation of food waste were summarized.•The intensification measures for enhancing each acidogenic metabolic pathway were discussed.•The strategies for enhancing VFAs recovery during acidogenic fermentation of food waste were summarized. Recently, efficient disposal of food waste (FW) with potential resource recovery has attracted great attentions. Due to its easily biodegradable nature, rich nutrient availability and high moisture content, FW is regarded as favorable substrate for anaerobic digestion (AD). Both waste disposal and energy recovery can be fulfilled during AD of FW. Volatile fatty acids (VFAs) which are the products of the first-two stages of AD, are widely applied in chemical industry as platform chemicals recently. Concentration and distribution of VFAs is the result of acidogenic metabolic pathways, which can be affected by the micro-environment (e.g. pH) in the digester. Hence, the clear elucidation of the acidogenic metabolic pathways is essential for optimization of acidogenic process for efficient product recovery. This review summarizes major acidogenic metabolic pathways and regulating strategies for enhancing VFAs recovery during acidogenic fermentation of FW.