Agave has emerged as a sustainable alternative for biofuels and bioproducts generation, with physiological advantages over traditional energy crops such as corn and sugarcane due to its high biomass productivity and drought tolerance. Current goals for sustainable Agave bioprocessing include the resource-efficient valorization from the whole plant, including its residues and wastes for multi-output production chain (e.g., biorefineries). With low water consumption and comparable biofuels yields to first-generation biofuel crops, Agave spp. has been positively evaluated for commercial production in Australia, Brazil, and Mexico with increasing interest in the USA and different African countries. In addition, global climate changes present challenges for agricultural production systems, but some Agave spp. are predicted to have increased biomass production in future climate on semi-arid, abandoned, marginal or degraded agricultural lands.
The economic importance of Agave for fiber and spirits production (mainly in Brazil and Mexico) is clear, with 1.41 million tons of Agave tequilana produced in 2020 for Tequila and an anticipated production exceeding 1.7 million tons in 2021 (surpassing the historical maximum production). At the same time, Agave has unique features when compared with traditional energy crops. For example, high calcium oxalate content remains in residues (bagasse and leaves) and vinasses after spirits production. Unlike others feedstocks, the main residues after spirits production (vinasses and bagasse) result in varying recalcitrance. Then, the residual biomass requires different pretreatment conditions than the raw counterpart (before spirits production) to achieve valuable by-products in downstream processing. Therefore, there are opportunities for multiple bioproducts to be generated, ranging from waxes to sugars and resin components.
This research topic includes all relevant pathways in development for Agave utilization as feedstock within a biorefinery scheme. Subjects covered in this Research Topic include, but are not limited to, the following:
• Advances in pretreatment of Agave residues (bagasse and/or leaves),
• Life cycle assessment and technoeconomic analysis,
• New Agave varieties for biofuels and bioproducts generation,
• Agave chemical composition and processing technologies,
• Agave microbiome, photosynthesis and related issues.
We welcome original research, reviews, mini reviews, methods, perspectives, and opinions articles of high scientific quality. We hope that this topic will advance interdisciplinary discussion among experts in the fields of biotechnology, sustainability, waste management, biosecurity and bioenergy.
Agave has emerged as a sustainable alternative for biofuels and bioproducts generation, with physiological advantages over traditional energy crops such as corn and sugarcane due to its high biomass productivity and drought tolerance. Current goals for sustainable Agave bioprocessing include the resource-efficient valorization from the whole plant, including its residues and wastes for multi-output production chain (e.g., biorefineries). With low water consumption and comparable biofuels yields to first-generation biofuel crops, Agave spp. has been positively evaluated for commercial production in Australia, Brazil, and Mexico with increasing interest in the USA and different African countries. In addition, global climate changes present challenges for agricultural production systems, but some Agave spp. are predicted to have increased biomass production in future climate on semi-arid, abandoned, marginal or degraded agricultural lands.
The economic importance of Agave for fiber and spirits production (mainly in Brazil and Mexico) is clear, with 1.41 million tons of Agave tequilana produced in 2020 for Tequila and an anticipated production exceeding 1.7 million tons in 2021 (surpassing the historical maximum production). At the same time, Agave has unique features when compared with traditional energy crops. For example, high calcium oxalate content remains in residues (bagasse and leaves) and vinasses after spirits production. Unlike others feedstocks, the main residues after spirits production (vinasses and bagasse) result in varying recalcitrance. Then, the residual biomass requires different pretreatment conditions than the raw counterpart (before spirits production) to achieve valuable by-products in downstream processing. Therefore, there are opportunities for multiple bioproducts to be generated, ranging from waxes to sugars and resin components.
This research topic includes all relevant pathways in development for Agave utilization as feedstock within a biorefinery scheme. Subjects covered in this Research Topic include, but are not limited to, the following:
• Advances in pretreatment of Agave residues (bagasse and/or leaves),
• Life cycle assessment and technoeconomic analysis,
• New Agave varieties for biofuels and bioproducts generation,
• Agave chemical composition and processing technologies,
• Agave microbiome, photosynthesis and related issues.
We welcome original research, reviews, mini reviews, methods, perspectives, and opinions articles of high scientific quality. We hope that this topic will advance interdisciplinary discussion among experts in the fields of biotechnology, sustainability, waste management, biosecurity and bioenergy.
