Grape Stalks Valorization towards Circular Economy: A Cascade Biorefinery Strategy

Abstract: Lignocellulosic biomasses have the potential to generate by‐products with biological activity (i. e., polyphenols) as well as biopolymers (i. e., cellulose, hemicellulose, pectins, lignin). The wine industry is one of the pillars of Italian agri‐food sector. Nevertheless, large quantities of by‐products such as grape stems are produced, which are usually disposed of at a cost, and therefore represent an attractive negative‐cost feedstock for biorefinery. In this work, a sequential protocol for biomass valorization is proposed, characterized by a multidisciplinary strategy using enabling technologies and subcritical water as a green solvent, where physical/chemical treatments synergistically interact with biological treatments. The first phase involved the sequential fractionation of grape stalks, obtaining several product streams rich in polyphenols, hemicellulose, pectin (13.15 % of cumulative yield on biomass), lignin and cellulose. A membrane treatment was employed to recycle materials within the process. Finally, the cellulose‐rich residue was exploited as a fermentation substrate for the last step, producing up to 5.8 g/L of lactic acid by harnessing suitably engineered Clostridium thermocellum strains. The polyphenolic fraction successfully inhibited the growth of Brettanomyces bruxellensis and Acetobacter pasteurianus, microorganisms responsible for major wine off‐flavors. Globally, this study represents a proof‐of‐concept of a second‐generation biorefining process based on locally available waste biomass.

Object Details

• Location: Deutsche Nationalbibliothek Frankfurt am Main
• Extent: Online-Ressource
• Language: Englisch

References and Relationships

• Bibliographic citation: Grape Stalks Valorization towards Circular Economy: A Cascade Biorefinery Strategy ; day:14 ; month:02 ; year:2025 ; extent:16 ; ChemSusChem ; (14.02.2025) (gesamt 16)

Contributors, Places and Time

• Creator: Valle, Carlotta ; Grillo, Giorgio ; Calcio Gaudino, Emanuela ; Ponsetto, Paola ; Mazzoli, Roberto ; Bonavita, Giulia ; Vitale, Pietro ; Pessione, Enrica ; Garcia‐Moruno, Emilia ; Costantini, Antonella ; Cravotto, Giancarlo ; Tabasso, Silvia

Further information

• DOI: 10.1002/cssc.202402536
• URN: urn:nbn:de:101:1-2502151306205.105507069815
• Rights: Open Access; Der Zugriff auf das Objekt ist unbeschränkt möglich.
• Last update: 15.08.2025, 7:35 AM CEST