Cooperating countries: Vietnam, Austria

Coordinating institution: BOKU University

Project coordinator: Martin Altvater

Partner institution: Hanoi University of Science and Technology

Project duration: 1 February 2026 - 31 January 2028

Budget: 39.760,00 €

Cassava (Manihot esculenta) is a major global crop primarily cultivated in Asia, Africa, and Latin America. Key producer Vietnam aims to increase cassava output from 10.4 to 11.5–12.5 million tons by 2030, with 85% allocated for deep processing industries such as starch and ethanol production. However, cassava starch extraction generates significant waste, particularly cassava bagasse (CB), which contains high moisture and residual starch (50–79%), posing environmental and economic challenges.
Current starch recovery methods rely on mechanical extraction combined with enzymatic hydrolysis, but these processes remain inefficient, leaving substantial starch trapped within the lignocellulosic matrix. Advanced bioprocessing strategies, such as Simultaneous Liquefaction, Saccharification, and Fermentation (SLSF) and Consolidated Bioprocessing (CBP), aim to enhance efficiency, but their application e.g. for lactic acid production remains underdeveloped. Lactic acid is a key bio-based chemical used in food, pharmaceuticals, and industry, primarily for producing polylactic acid (PLA), a biodegradable alternative to petroleum-based plastics.
Our project proposes developing a CBP-based approach for lactic acid production from cassava bagasse by engineering Lactiplantibacillus plantarum and Saccharomyces cerevisiae strains capable of directly fermenting CB starch. By co-expressing starch-degrading enzymes, we aim to combine starch to fermentable glucose degradation and lactic acid production. Additionally, adaptive laboratory evolution (ALE) will optimize strain performance in cassava starch media.
This sustainable approach for lactic acid production from cassava bagasse aims at contributing to circular bio-economy efforts by valorizing agricultural waste while reducing production costs and environmental impact.