Biological treatment of biowaste as an innovative source of CO-The role of composting process

Carbon monoxide (CO) is an essential building block for producing everyday chemicals on industrial scale. Carbon monoxide can also be generated though a lesser-known and sometimes forgotten biorenewable pathways that could be explored to advance biobased production from large and more sustainable sources such as bio-waste treatment. Organic matter decomposition can generate carbon monoxide both under aerobic and anaerobic conditions. While anaerobic carbon monoxide generation is relatively well understood, the aerobic is not. Yet many industrial-scale bioprocesses involve both conditions. This review summarizes the necessary basic biochemistry knowledge needed for realization of initial steps towards biobased carbon monoxide production. We analyzed for the first time, the complex information about carbon monoxide production during aerobic, anaerobic bio-waste treatment and storage, carbon monoxide-metabolizing microorganisms, pathways, and enzymes with bibliometric analysis of trends. The future directions recognizing limitations of combined composting and carbon monoxide production have been discussed in greater detail.

Automated summary

Carbon monoxide (CO) can be produced through industrial methods as well as biorenewable pathways. While anaerobic CO generation is well understood, the aerobic process remains less explored. This review provides a summary of the basic biochemistry knowledge needed for biobased CO production, as well as an analysis of trends and limitations in aerobic and anaerobic CO production.