This is an open-access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (CC BY). The use, distribution or reproduction in other forums is permitted, provided the original author(s) and the copyright owner(s) are credited and that the original publication in this journal is cited, in accordance with accepted academic practice. No use, distribution or reproduction is permitted which does not comply with these terms.
As we navigate the challenges posed by a rapidly growing global population, resulting in a surge in waste generation, coupled with an ongoing energy crisis, natural or synthetic microbial communities emerge as a promising solution to tackle two critical issues—waste management and sustainable energy production. Aligned with the UN Sustainable Development Goal 7 (SDG7), which envisions “affordable, reliable, sustainable, and modern energy for all” by 2030, the biotransformation of organic compounds present in wastes and waste streams into diverse energy carriers emerges as a viable and sustainable pathway. This transformative process contributes to realising a circular economy, diminishing our reliance on fossil fuels, mitigating environmental pollution, reducing net carbon emissions, and preserving both public and ecological health. The Research Topic explores recent advances in innovative technologies that leverage microbial communities to produce green energy from wastes and waste streams, offering a glimpse into the promising future of sustainable energy solutions.
This Research Topic accepted three research articles and one review paper following peer review and editing.
The synthesis of neutral lipids in the form of triacylglycerol (considered as potential precursors for the manufacture of biodiesel) during stress by different species is another process for energy recovery from wastewater.
This Research Topic of articles demonstrated the feasibility of different approaches for energy recovery from organic waste through a biotechnological approach, with a special focus on comprehension and improvement of the feedstock properties and microorganisms’ role and performance. The biotechnological approach includes, but is not limited to, recovery of heat from composting, production of bioethanol and lipids from waste, and analysis of the potential of biomass as a renewable energy source. The manipulation of microbial communities, either simple (co-culture) or complex (enriched mixed culture), is essential in waste-to-energy systems. Commonly used approaches, such as managing the physicochemical and process parameters, have shown success to some extent in improving energy recovery. However, approaches for manipulating the microbial community more directly should be explored, e.g., bioaugmentation, designed community, and mixed cultures consisting of genetically modified strains.
RR: Writing–original draft, Writing–review and editing. BG: Writing–original draft, Writing–review and editing. WP: Writing–original draft, Writing–review and editing. RP: Writing–original draft, Writing–review and editing.
In memory of our esteemed co-author, Professor Alberto Pivato, whose untimely passing has left an indelible void, we, the co-author and the Editorial board, dedicate this work to honoring the enduring legacy of a respected colleague and friend.
The authors declare that the research was conducted in the absence of any commercial or financial relationships that could be construed as a potential conflict of interest.
The author(s) declared that they were an editorial board member of Frontiers, at the time of submission. This had no impact on the peer review process and the final decision.
All claims expressed in this article are solely those of the authors and do not necessarily represent those of their affiliated organizations, or those of the publisher, the editors and the reviewers. Any product that may be evaluated in this article, or claim that may be made by its manufacturer, is not guaranteed or endorsed by the publisher.