Microorganisms as New Sources of Energy
The use of fossil energy sources has a negative impact on the economic and socio-political stability of specific regions and countries, causing environmental changes due to the emission of greenhouse gases. Moreover, the stocks of mineral energy are limited, causing the demand for new types and form...
| Main Authors: | , , , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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MDPI AG
2022-08-01
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| Series: | Energies |
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| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/1996-1073/15/17/6365 |
| _version_ | 1827666478022787072 |
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| author | Jasminka Talapko Domagoj Talapko Anita Matić Ivana Škrlec |
| author_facet | Jasminka Talapko Domagoj Talapko Anita Matić Ivana Škrlec |
| author_sort | Jasminka Talapko |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | The use of fossil energy sources has a negative impact on the economic and socio-political stability of specific regions and countries, causing environmental changes due to the emission of greenhouse gases. Moreover, the stocks of mineral energy are limited, causing the demand for new types and forms of energy. Biomass is a renewable energy source and represents an alternative to fossil energy sources. Microorganisms produce energy from the substrate and biomass, i.e., from substances in the microenvironment, to maintain their metabolism and life. However, specialized microorganisms also produce specific metabolites under almost abiotic circumstances that often do not have the immediate task of sustaining their own lives. This paper presents the action of biogenic and biogenic–thermogenic microorganisms, which produce methane, alcohols, lipids, triglycerides, and hydrogen, thus often creating renewable energy from waste biomass. Furthermore, some microorganisms acquire new or improved properties through genetic interventions for producing significant amounts of energy. In this way, they clean the environment and can consume greenhouse gases. Particularly suitable are blue-green algae or cyanobacteria but also some otherwise pathogenic microorganisms (<i>E. coli</i>, <i>Klebsiella</i>, and others), as well as many other specialized microorganisms that show an incredible ability to adapt. Microorganisms can change the current paradigm, energy–environment, and open up countless opportunities for producing new energy sources, especially hydrogen, which is an ideal energy source for all systems (biological, physical, technological). Developing such energy production technologies can significantly change the already achieved critical level of greenhouse gases that significantly affect the climate. |
| first_indexed | 2024-03-10T01:51:16Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-ae93e260f02d46ceba3b1bb47d88663b |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 1996-1073 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-03-10T01:51:16Z |
| publishDate | 2022-08-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Energies |
| spelling | doaj.art-ae93e260f02d46ceba3b1bb47d88663b2023-11-23T13:04:52ZengMDPI AGEnergies1996-10732022-08-011517636510.3390/en15176365Microorganisms as New Sources of EnergyJasminka Talapko0Domagoj Talapko1Anita Matić2Ivana Škrlec3Faculty of Dental Medicine and Health, Josip Juraj Strossmayer University of Osijek, HR-31000 Osijek, CroatiaFaculty of Dental Medicine and Health, Josip Juraj Strossmayer University of Osijek, HR-31000 Osijek, CroatiaFaculty of Dental Medicine and Health, Josip Juraj Strossmayer University of Osijek, HR-31000 Osijek, CroatiaFaculty of Dental Medicine and Health, Josip Juraj Strossmayer University of Osijek, HR-31000 Osijek, CroatiaThe use of fossil energy sources has a negative impact on the economic and socio-political stability of specific regions and countries, causing environmental changes due to the emission of greenhouse gases. Moreover, the stocks of mineral energy are limited, causing the demand for new types and forms of energy. Biomass is a renewable energy source and represents an alternative to fossil energy sources. Microorganisms produce energy from the substrate and biomass, i.e., from substances in the microenvironment, to maintain their metabolism and life. However, specialized microorganisms also produce specific metabolites under almost abiotic circumstances that often do not have the immediate task of sustaining their own lives. This paper presents the action of biogenic and biogenic–thermogenic microorganisms, which produce methane, alcohols, lipids, triglycerides, and hydrogen, thus often creating renewable energy from waste biomass. Furthermore, some microorganisms acquire new or improved properties through genetic interventions for producing significant amounts of energy. In this way, they clean the environment and can consume greenhouse gases. Particularly suitable are blue-green algae or cyanobacteria but also some otherwise pathogenic microorganisms (<i>E. coli</i>, <i>Klebsiella</i>, and others), as well as many other specialized microorganisms that show an incredible ability to adapt. Microorganisms can change the current paradigm, energy–environment, and open up countless opportunities for producing new energy sources, especially hydrogen, which is an ideal energy source for all systems (biological, physical, technological). Developing such energy production technologies can significantly change the already achieved critical level of greenhouse gases that significantly affect the climate.https://www.mdpi.com/1996-1073/15/17/6365bioenergybiomass wastehydrogenmicroorganismsrenewable energy sources |
| spellingShingle | Jasminka Talapko Domagoj Talapko Anita Matić Ivana Škrlec Microorganisms as New Sources of Energy Energies bioenergy biomass waste hydrogen microorganisms renewable energy sources |
| title | Microorganisms as New Sources of Energy |
| title_full | Microorganisms as New Sources of Energy |
| title_fullStr | Microorganisms as New Sources of Energy |
| title_full_unstemmed | Microorganisms as New Sources of Energy |
| title_short | Microorganisms as New Sources of Energy |
| title_sort | microorganisms as new sources of energy |
| topic | bioenergy biomass waste hydrogen microorganisms renewable energy sources |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/1996-1073/15/17/6365 |
| work_keys_str_mv | AT jasminkatalapko microorganismsasnewsourcesofenergy AT domagojtalapko microorganismsasnewsourcesofenergy AT anitamatic microorganismsasnewsourcesofenergy AT ivanaskrlec microorganismsasnewsourcesofenergy |