Supervisor:
Mette Hedegaard Thomsen

Co-Supervisor:

Assessment Committee:
Stefan Junne (Chair)
Mohammad Taherzadeh, Department of Resource Recovery and Building Technology, University of Borås, Sweden
Morten Ambye-Jensen, Department of Biological and Chemical Engineering, Aarhus University, Denmark

Moderator:
Stefan Junne

Abstract:

This PhD project explored innovative pathways to transform two unconventional biomass sources, the organic fraction of municipal solid waste (OFMSW) and halophyte plants, into valuable bio-based products. Conducted within the EU-funded FLEXI-GREEN FUELS and IGNITION projects, the work addressed urgent global challenges around waste management, sustainable agriculture, and the circular economy.

For OFMSW, the study demonstrated efficient strategies for sugar release, ethanol production, and single-cell protein generation, while also uncovering multifunctional benefits such as replacing synthetic buffers and nitrogen sources in bioprocesses. Seasonal variability analysis and advanced pretreatments highlighted both the complexity and the vast potential of this widely available resource.

In parallel, halophyte biomass, particularly Salicornia ramosissima, was valorized through innovative fractionation and mixed fermentation systems. Halophyte juice emerged as a dual-function medium—serving both as a fermentation substrate and a hydrolysis buffer, enabling the production of probiotic-rich cultures with promoting health properties.

Together, these findings reveal the promise of integrating waste and halophyte biomass into flexible, low-input biorefineries. By advancing microbial conversion strategies and unlocking multifunctional feedstocks, this research contributes to greener fuels, functional ingredients, and a more resilient circular bioeconomy.