Enzymatic Pathways in Biogas Enrichment and Production

Global energy demand is experiencing exponential growth, driven by urbanization and industrial development. At present, fossil fuels stand as the predominant energy source. However, there is a discernible shift toward investing in renewable energy sources to mitigate the adverse effects of fossil fuel consumption, particularly in relation to climate change. One of the promising renewable energy sources is biogas. Through utilizing anaerobic digestion technology, biogas and methane can be derived from organic waste materials. These potential organic wastes arise from urban and industrial activities, including municipal sludge, solid wastes, and agro-industrial waste. Nevertheless, many of these residues encounter significant challenges during the digestion process due to their complex nature. Consequently, a pre-treatment stage is required to reduce complexity and enhance the output of the digestion process, particularly in terms of biogas yield. A potential pre-treatment method involves the use of hydrolytic enzymes. This method aims to optimize the efficiency of hydrolysis enzymes involved in the digestion process, with the goal of enhancing the breakdown and hydrolysis of the complex compositions of the targeted substrate. This, in turn, increases the yield and streamlines the biogas production process. This chapter aims to delineate the role of hydrolytic enzymes in the digestion process, shedding light on the principal enzymes involved and their functional roles. Additionally, it addresses the potential applications of hydrolytic enzymes in the scope of biogas production, along with implementation strategies. Finally, it explores the primary enzyme production pathways, current challenges, and future perspectives.