Enhanced Bioethanol Production from Invasive Aquatic Plants: The Impact of Mild Pretreatment and Simultaneous Saccharification and Fermentation (SSF)

Water hyacinth, a highly invasive aquatic plant, is widespread in freshwater systems in over 50 countries worldwide and continues to threaten marine biodiversity and ecosystems. Dense mats of water hyacinth covering water surfaces block sunlight and prevent it from penetrating aquatic habitats. At the same time, the aerobic decomposition of plant biomass reduces oxygen levels in the water, negatively impacting water quality and circulation. This has caused significant damage to aquatic ecosystems, led to the death of marine animals, and resulted in a drastic decline in fish stocks. The economic consequences for fisheries, water transportation, hydropower, irrigation, and drinking water supplies are severe. Due to its high availability, rapid growth, ease of propagation, and low lignin content, water hyacinth offers great potential as a feedstock for the production of second-generation bioethanol. It could serve as a model for the use of other invasive plants as a sustainable alternative to fossil fuels. This research project, funded by a DAAD scholarship and supported by TUM-BVT, focuses on developing an optimized bioprocess to reduce process constraints, enhance microbial performance, and increase bioethanol yields from water hyacinth. This will be achieved through a model-based process design approach that aims for maximum yields while deepening the mechanistic understanding of the underlying processes.

The project's ultimate goal is to develop a decentralized, low-cost, and scalable bioprocess suited for low-resource regions where water hyacinth remains a painful concern to produce second-generation bioethanol