Lu Feng
Research Professor
Attachments
CVBiography
My research works primarily aim to strengthen anaerobic digestion based circular economy, the role of anaerobic digestion process on organic farming, its effect on recycling and relocating the nutrients, and impact on soil fertility and GHG emission. Currently, I have interests on developing innovative biotechnologies for converting organic residues, to bioenergy, organic acids, protein, biomethanation and syngas fermentation.
Abstract
Addressing the issues of soil degradation and declining crop quality caused by the excessive application of chemical fertilizers, this study prepared a cyanobacterial–bamboo growth elicitor (CBGE) from cyanobacterial and bamboo powder through acid-hydrolysis technology and then co-applied with cyanobacterial biochar (CB). Five pot treatments were established: control (CK), root-applied CB (BR), soil-applied CB (BF), root-applied CBGE-modified CB (LZBR), and soil-applied CBGE-modified CB (LZBF). The results demonstrated that CBGE was rich in essential macronutrients (N, P, K) and bioactive substances including polysaccharides and dipeptides, while cyanobacterial biochar, with its abundant hydroxyl/carboxyl groups, showed strong adsorption of CBGE organic components. During cultivation, the LZBR treatment exhibited comprehensive advantages in improving rhizosphere soil organic carbon, humic substances, and cation exchange capacity. Environmental risk assessment indicated that soil heavy metal levels and associated health risks were low across all treatments, with no obvious short-term adverse effects observed. Soil application (BF, LZBF) maintained Bradyrhizobium dominance, whereas root application (BR, LZBR) enriched Chryseobacterium and Pseudomonas, driving organic matter mineralization and carbon‑nitrogen cycling. Moreover, functional predictions suggested that CBGE addition has the potential to reduce the abundance of functional genes associated with human pathogens, animal parasites, and plant pathogens. The LZBR treatment achieved balanced nutrient utilization through microbial functional network reconstruction, yielding the highest soybean whole-plant biomass (65.8 g/plant, +10.9% vs CK) and grain crude protein (210.56 g/kg, +33.3% vs CK). In conclusion, under the tested pot conditions, the application strategy of LZBR exhibited promising potential to synergistically improve soil health and crop quality.
Abstract
Solid-state anaerobic digestion (SS-AD) offers a promising route for treating lignocellulosic biomass, yet challenges remain regarding process stability, limited understanding of microbial dynamics under leachate recirculation, and insufficient integration of digestate valorization pathways. This study investigated the thermophilic co-digestion of coffee husk (CH) with avocado and flower wastes at proportions of 90:5:5 (CH + 10%) and 80:10:10 (CH + 20%) on a dry weight basis, using a leachate-recirculated SS-AD system for biogas production, while the resulting digestate was utilized for bio-briquette. The 20% co-substrate mixture (CH + 20%) produced the highest methane yield at 263 mL CH4 g−1 VS, representing a 40% improvement over mono-digested CH. The recirculated leachate maintained relatively stable pH (7.6–8.1), supported hydrolysis and prevented volatile fatty acid buildup, thereby maintaning methanogenic activity. Microbial analysis indicated that the enrichment of Firmicutes and Proteobacteria fermenters, together with Methanosarcina-dominated acetoclastic‑hydrogenotrophic methanogenesis, improved system stability during the co-digestion process. The BMP tests demonstrated that CH + 20% showed the highest methane production at 390 NmL CH₄ g−1 VS. The digestate generated from SS-AD was subsequently valorized into bio-briquettes, producing calorific values of 16.4–17.1 MJ kg−1 and improved mechanical properties that meet solid biofuel standards. This integrated approach enhances overall energy recovery from biomass residues, demonstrating the effectiveness of leachate-recirculated SS-AD for circular bioresource management.
Authors
Lu FengAbstract
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Division of Environment and Natural Resources
SUFFICIENT
SUFFICIENT is a highly innovative and industry driven collaboration project which brings together Norwegian industries from aquaculture (Cermaq), agriculture (Woolero and Terramarine) and biorefinery (Greentech) to develop new circular bioprocess routes, comprising anaerobic digestion, hydrolysis and fungal fermentation, for efficient conversion of selectively processed biowastes into products for fish & animal feed and biostimulant fertilizers.
Division of Food Production and Society
From Waste to Wisdom (WaWi) Accelerating Circular Biowaste Solutions through North–South Partnerships
WaWi project accelerates circular biowaste solutions through a dynamic North-South and South-South partnership involving leading institutions from Norway, Ethiopia, Namibia, South Africa, Sweden, and the USA.