Abstract
The industrial distillation of bioethanol generates massive volumes of sugarcane vinasse, a highly corrosive effluent characterized by low pH, elevated chemical oxygen demand (COD), and recalcitrant matrices of melanoidins and phenolic compounds. While field fertigation is conventionally proposed for nutrient circularization, its widespread implementation is constrained by logistical barriers, hyper-osmotic phytotoxicity to sugarcane (Saccharum officinarum) cuttings, and severe microbial imbalances. This review critically evaluates the deployment of ligninolytic and functional fungi as a multi-valent biotechnological platform for vinasse treatment, focusing on the enzymatic degradation of recalcitrant pollutants, bioactive compound production, and soil structure enhancement. Filamentous fungi—predominantly white-rot basidiomycetes (Trametes, Pycnoporus, Ganoderma) secrete high-redox extracellular enzymes (laccases, manganese peroxidases, and lignin peroxidases) that break down complex aromatic polymers through non-specific free-radical mechanisms. Concurrently, fungal bioprocessing generates high-protein biomass and mycelial networks that act as biological soil conditioners and aggregation precursors, enhancing soil porosity, water retention, and structural stability in degraded agricultural soils. Recent advances demonstrate that integrating fungal treatment with anaerobic digestion or physical pretreatments mitigates substrate toxicity and mass-transfer limitations in high-viscosity vinasse. Furthermore, biotransformation of vinasse yields valuable secondary metabolites, including industrial enzymes, biocides, and mycoproteins, provided that strict biosafety standards regarding heavy metal (Cd, Cu, Zn) accumulation and mycotoxin synthesis are met. This review synthesizes current mechanistic insights, compares operational configurations, and outlines strategic pathways for scaling hybrid fungal biorefineries.
Keywords:
- Keyword: Sugarcane vinasse
- Keyword: Ligninolytic enzymes
- Keyword: Basidiomycetes
- Keyword: Biological soil conditioner
- Keyword: Bioactive synthesis
- Keyword: Hybrid biorefineries.
How to Cite:
Schettino-Salomón, B., Rosas, F. H. & Llarena-Hernandez, R., (2026) “Reconversion of distillery vinasses using ligninolytic fungi: Sustainable strategies for processes and products”, Journal of Intelligent and Sustainable Systems (JISS) 2(3).