Bio-based chemicals from biorefining : Protein conversion and utilisation

The depletion of fossil feedstocks, fluctuating oil prices and the ecological problems associated with CO2 emissions are forcing the development of alternative resources for energy, transportation fuels and chemicals: the replacement of fossil resources with biomass. The conversion of crude oil products utilises hydrocarbons and conversion to (functional) chemicals with the aid of co-reagents, such as ammonia, and various process steps. Conversely, proteins and amino acids, found in biomass, contain functionality. It is therefore attractive to exploit this to reduce the use, and preparation of, co-reagents as well as eliminating various process steps. This chapter describes how biorefineries can add value to protein containing rest streams by using amino acids as economically and ecologically interesting feedstocks and that, by taking advantage of the chemical structure in biomass rest streams, a more efficient application can be developed other than solely utilising it for the production of fuels or electricity.