Sustainable Lactic Acid Production from Sugarcane Molasses: A Step Toward Circular Bioeconomy and Green Bioplastics
Published in Microbiology and Sustainability
The increasing demand for environmentally friendly alternatives to petroleum-based products has intensified interest in microbial production of bio-based chemicals. Among these, lactic acid is a versatile platform chemical widely used in food, pharmaceutical, cosmetic, and biodegradable plastic industries.
In our recent study published in Sustainability, we investigated the potential of sugarcane molasses, an abundant and inexpensive agro-industrial by-product, as a substrate for sustainable lactic acid production. By employing a novel strain of Bacillus amyloliquefaciens and optimizing fermentation conditions, we achieved enhanced lactic acid production while reducing dependence on refined sugars.
One of the major challenges in industrial biotechnology is lowering production costs while maintaining high productivity. Agricultural by-products such as sugarcane molasses offer an attractive solution because they are readily available, nutrient-rich, and often underutilized. Our findings demonstrate that molasses can serve as an effective feedstock for microbial fermentation, supporting both economic and environmental sustainability.
Beyond fermentation performance, this work contributes to the broader concept of a circular bioeconomy by transforming agricultural residues into value-added products. Lactic acid produced through such sustainable processes can serve as a precursor for polylactic acid (PLA), one of the most promising biodegradable plastics currently available.
The study highlights how microbial biotechnology can bridge agriculture and industry by creating innovative pathways for renewable chemical production. Future research will focus on metabolic pathway optimization, process scale-up, and integration with next-generation biorefineries to further improve production efficiency and sustainability.
I hope this work encourages further discussion on sustainable bioprocesses, industrial microbiology, waste valorization, and bio-based materials. I welcome comments, questions, and opportunities for collaboration from researchers working in related fields.
I am a microbiologist and biotechnologist with more than nine years of research experience spanning industrial microbiology, microbial biotechnology, agricultural biotechnology, and sustainable bioprocess development. My research focuses on the isolation and characterization of beneficial microorganisms, microbial fermentation, lactic acid and biopolymer production, microbial consortia, plant–microbe interactions, and circular bioeconomy approaches.
I completed my Ph.D. in Botany at Alagappa University, India, where my research explored sustainable production of lignocellulosic lactic acid from agricultural resources and its conversion into value-added biopolymers. Subsequently, I worked at the National Changhua University of Education and Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Taiwan, contributing to projects involving lactic acid bacteria, polyhydroxybutyrate (PHB), hydrogel-based agricultural technologies, cancer biology, transcriptomics, and multi-omics data analysis.
My interdisciplinary experience integrates microbial cultivation, fermentation engineering, molecular biology, bioinformatics, metabolomics, and applied biotechnology. I am passionate about developing sustainable microbial solutions for environmental, agricultural, and industrial challenges through international collaboration and translational research.
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