Enzymes Produced by the Genus <i>Aspergillus</i> Integrated into the Biofuels Industry Using Sustainable Raw Materials
Fernando Enrique Rosas-Vega,
Roberta Pozzan,
Walter Jose Martínez-Burgos,
Luiz Alberto Junior Letti,
Patricia Beatriz Gruening de Mattos,
Lucia Carolina Ramos-Neyra,
Gabriel Spinillo Dudeque,
Gustavo Amaro Bittencourt,
Gabriela dos S. Costa,
Luciana Porto de Souza Vandenberghe,
Carlos Ricardo Soccol
Affiliations
Fernando Enrique Rosas-Vega
Department of Bioprocess Engineering and Biotechnology, Polytechnic Center, Federal University of Paraná, Rua Cel. Francisco H dos Santos—100, Curitiba 81530-000, Brazil
Roberta Pozzan
Laboratory of Cell Toxicology, Department of Cell Biology, Polytechnic Center, Federal University of Paraná, Rua Cel. Francisco H dos Santos—100, Curitiba 81531-908, Brazil
Walter Jose Martínez-Burgos
Department of Bioprocess Engineering and Biotechnology, Polytechnic Center, Federal University of Paraná, Rua Cel. Francisco H dos Santos—100, Curitiba 81530-000, Brazil
Luiz Alberto Junior Letti
Department of Bioprocess Engineering and Biotechnology, Polytechnic Center, Federal University of Paraná, Rua Cel. Francisco H dos Santos—100, Curitiba 81530-000, Brazil
Patricia Beatriz Gruening de Mattos
Department of Bioprocess Engineering and Biotechnology, Polytechnic Center, Federal University of Paraná, Rua Cel. Francisco H dos Santos—100, Curitiba 81530-000, Brazil
Lucia Carolina Ramos-Neyra
Department of Bioprocess Engineering and Biotechnology, Polytechnic Center, Federal University of Paraná, Rua Cel. Francisco H dos Santos—100, Curitiba 81530-000, Brazil
Gabriel Spinillo Dudeque
Department of Bioprocess Engineering and Biotechnology, Polytechnic Center, Federal University of Paraná, Rua Cel. Francisco H dos Santos—100, Curitiba 81530-000, Brazil
Gustavo Amaro Bittencourt
Department of Bioprocess Engineering and Biotechnology, Polytechnic Center, Federal University of Paraná, Rua Cel. Francisco H dos Santos—100, Curitiba 81530-000, Brazil
Gabriela dos S. Costa
Department of Bioprocess Engineering and Biotechnology, Polytechnic Center, Federal University of Paraná, Rua Cel. Francisco H dos Santos—100, Curitiba 81530-000, Brazil
Luciana Porto de Souza Vandenberghe
Department of Bioprocess Engineering and Biotechnology, Polytechnic Center, Federal University of Paraná, Rua Cel. Francisco H dos Santos—100, Curitiba 81530-000, Brazil
Carlos Ricardo Soccol
Department of Bioprocess Engineering and Biotechnology, Polytechnic Center, Federal University of Paraná, Rua Cel. Francisco H dos Santos—100, Curitiba 81530-000, Brazil
Renewable energy sources, such as biofuels, represent promising alternatives to reduce dependence on fossil fuels and mitigate climate change. Their production through enzymatic hydrolysis has gained relevance by converting agro-industrial waste into fermentable sugars and residual oils, which are essential for the generation of bioethanol and biodiesel. The fungus Aspergillus stands out as a key source of enzymes, including cellulases, xylanases, amylases, and lipases, which are crucial for the breakdown of biomass and oils to produce bioethanol and fatty acid methyl esters (FAME). This review examines the current state of these technologies, highlighting the significance of Aspergillus in the conversion of energy-rich waste materials. While the process holds significant potential, it faces challenges such as the high costs associated with enzymatic production and final processing stages. Agro-industrial waste is proposed as an energy resource to support a circular economy, thereby eliminating reliance on non-renewable resources in these processes. Furthermore, advanced pretreatment technologies—including biological, physical, and physicochemical methods, as well as the use of ionic liquids—are explored to enhance process efficiency. Innovative technologies, such as genetic engineering of Aspergillus strains and enzyme encapsulation, promise to optimize sustainable biofuel production by addressing key challenges and advancing this technology towards large-scale implementation.
