From Waste to Wealth: Biological Methods and Sustainability in Municipal Solid Waste Management Davuluri Syam Babu, Ambati Ranga Rao, Alugunulla Venkata Narayana, Kuppam Chandrasekhar Industrial Biotechnology, 2026 With the growing global demand for affordable and sustainable energy, waste-to-energy technologies have emerged as a vital solution. In India, waste-to-energy offers dual benefits—producing renewable electricity from municipal solid waste (MSW) while simultaneously mitigating landfill dependency and improving waste management efficiency. This review addresses the escalating challenge of MSW management driven by rapid urbanization and industrialization. It emphasizes biological treatment approaches, particularly microbial processes that transform organic waste into value-added, eco-friendly products such as biogas and compost, thereby integrating energy recovery with environmental sustainability. These methods align with circular economy principles, aiming to minimize waste, recycle resources, and generate renewable energy. The review explores key biological treatments—biodegradation, composting, and anaerobic digestion—emphasizing the operational factors that impact their efficiency. It also examines the challenges associated with waste-to-energy conversion, including financial, policy, and environmental barriers, while highlighting the advantages of pollution reduction and energy production. However, the improper handling or inefficient operation of these processes can lead to fugitive emissions and the release of contaminants, posing potential risks to air quality and ecosystem health. By adopting eco-friendly waste management strategies, societies can leverage natural processes to mitigate waste-related impacts and foster sustainable resource utilization within the circular economy framework.
AI-Driven Optimization of Waste-Derived Nanocomposites for High-Performance Microbial Fuel Cells Darshita Valde, Lakeswer Dadsena, Chandrasekhar Kuppam, Monalisha Mohanta, Tungabidya Maharana, et al. Energy Technology, 2026 The convergence of artificial intelligence (AI) and sustainable materials science is redefining thedevelopment ofmicrobial fuel cells (MFCs). This review provides a critical and integrative assessment of how AI‐driven strategies accelerate the discovery, design, and optimization of waste‐derived nanocomposites for high‐performance and eco‐efficient MFCs. Emphasis is placed on natural and industrial by‐products converted into carbon‐based, polymeric, and metal oxide nanocomposites that serve as cost‐effective electrodes and membranes for simultaneous bioenergy generation and wastewater remediation. Machine learning, deep learning, and physics‐informed models are discussed as enablers for predictive screening, synthesis optimization, and real‐time operational control. Beyond material selection, the review highlights unresolved challenges such as reproducibility, metal leaching, data scarcity, and scale‐up limitations, offering an AI‐guided roadmap for circular‐economy‐based MFC innovation. Overall, this work establishes the synergistic framework through which AI and waste valorization can collectively advance the efficiency, sustainability, and industrial scalability of next‐generation bioelectrochemical systems.
An Introduction to Nanopesticides Supriya Kumari, Surbhi Kumari, Kumud Kant Awasthi, Anjali Awasthi, Rajbala Verma Nanopesticides A Perspective from Welfare to Risk Assessment, 2025
Bio-electrosynthesis of polyhydroxybutyrate and surfactants in microbial fuel cells: a preliminary study Rosa Anna Nastro, Chandrasekhar Kuppam, Maria Toscanesi, Marco Trifuoggi, Andrea Pietrelli, et al. Frontiers in Microbiology, 2025 Microbial Electrochemical Technology (MET) offers a promising avenue for CO2 utilization by leveraging the ability of chemolithotrophic microorganisms to use inorganic carbon in biosynthetic processes. By harnessing the power of electroactive bacteria, METs can facilitate the conversion of inorganic carbon into organic compounds. Therefore, this work combines biosurfactant production at the anode and PHB production at the cathode of Microbial Fuel Cells (MFCs), while testing the efficiency of Microbial Electrosynthesis Cells (MECs), and traditional culture in liquid media. This study employed a consortium of Pseudomonas aeruginosa PA1430/CO1 and Shewanella oneidensis MR-1, to provide reducing equivalents to Cupriavidus necator DSM428 for CO2 fixation and polyhydroxybutyrate (PHB) production. Glycerol was used as a carbon source by the anode consortium to investigate biosurfactant production. Additionally, Adaptive Laboratory Evolution (ALE) was employed to enhance the efficiency of this process to develop biofilms capable of synthesizing PHB from CO2 in MFCs under a controlled gas atmosphere (10% CO2, 10% O2, 2% H2, 78% N2). Observed results showed a higher direct CO2 removal from the gas mix in MECs (73%) than in MFCs (65%) compared to control cultures. Anionic (18.8 mg/L) and non-ionic (14.6 mg/L) surfactants were primarily present at the anodes of MFCs. Confocal microscope analysis revealed that the accumulation of PHBs in C. necator was significantly higher in MFCs (73% of cell volume) rather than in MECs (23%) and control cultures (40%). Further analyses on metabolites in the different systems are ongoing. Our data gave evidence that the anode consortium was able to provide enough electrons to sustain the chemolithotrophic growth of C. necator and the biosynthesis of PHBs at the cathode of MFCs, in a mechanism suggestive of the direct interspecies electron transfer (DIET), naturally occurring in natural environment.
An Introduction to Nanopesticides V Patel, V Sharma, D Trivedi, M Singh, K Chandrasekhar Nanopesticides, 1-22 , 2026 2026
AI‐Driven Optimization of Waste‐Derived Nanocomposites for High‐Performance Microbial Fuel Cells D Valde, L Dadsena, C Kuppam, M Mohanta, T Maharana, ... Energy Technology 14 (1), e202500676 , 2026 2026 Citations: 1
Quality by design (QbD) approach to SE-HPLC method development for cetuximab Monoclonal antibodies NN Pavan Kumar, K Chandrasekhar Preparative Biochemistry & Biotechnology, 1-13 , 2025 2025
From Waste to Wealth: Biological Methods and Sustainability in Municipal Solid Waste Management D Syam Babu, A Ranga Rao, A Venkata Narayana, K Chandrasekhar Industrial Biotechnology, 15509087251400604 , 2025 2025
Unlocking the potential of nanocellulose in biomedical innovations: A sustainable marvel M Chavali, M Singh, A Srivastava, MK Enamala, C Kuppam, RA Nastro, ... Science of The Total Environment 1004, 180778 , 2025 2025 Citations: 2
Strategy for enhanced treatment of distillery spent wash effluent with aluminum nanoparticle-assisted electrocoagulation C David, K A, S Loukkose Rosemary, V Kommoju, K Chandrasekhar, ... Chemical Engineering Communications 212 (11), 1750-1764 , 2025 2025 Citations: 2
Bio-electrosynthesis of polyhydroxybutyrate and surfactants in microbial fuel cells: a preliminary study RA Nastro, C Kuppam, M Toscanesi, M Trifuoggi, A Pietrelli, V Pasquale, ... Frontiers in microbiology 16, 1372302 , 2025 2025 Citations: 10
GREEN METRIC TOOLS FOR ANALYTICAL METHODS ASSESSMENT: EVALUATION, CASE STUDIES WITH CETUXIMAB SE-HPLC METHOD NN Pavan Kumar, K Chandrasekhar Journal of Applied Bioanalysis 11 (9), 510-520 , 2025 2025
In Silico Development of a Multi-Epitope Vaccine Using Advanced Bioinformatics Tools and Techniques T Sure, KN Dande, C Paladugu, AV Narayana, K Chandrasekhar, ... Journal of Biochemical Technology 16 (4-2025), 18-26 , 2025 2025
Exploring the Potential of Microbial Exopolysaccharides as Innovative and Eco-Friendly Cleansing Agents: A Review K Chandrasekhar, RA Nastro, P Kumar, SE Jujjavarapu, DS Babu, ... Journal of Biochemical Technology 16 (3-2025), 51-62 , 2025 2025 Citations: 3
Microbial Cell Factory Engineering for Scalable Production of Bio-Commodities: Emphasis on Robustness K Chandrasekhar, RA Nastro, AV Narayana, AR Rao, M Singh, ... Journal of Biochemical Technology 16 (3), 19-29 , 2025 2025 Citations: 1
Biosurfactants as key agents in microbial remediation of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons: a review AV Narayana, P Kumar, B Sumalatha, K Chandrasekhar, AR Rao, ... Journal of Biochemical Technology 16 (1-2025), 9-14 , 2025 2025 Citations: 3
An overview of the role of algae-fortified foods in nutraceutical industries: Synthesis pathway of value-added bioproducts and co-products M Singh, N Mal, D Trivedi, S Krishnamoorthy, C Behera, C Krishnan, ... Food Bioscience 63, 105568 , 2025 2025 Citations: 15
Laterite integrated persulfate based advanced oxidation and biological treatment for textile industrial effluent remediation: optimization and field application D Syam Babu, K Vijay, S Shakira, VS Mallemkondu, P Barik, C Kuppam, ... Applied Bionics and Biomechanics 2025 (1), 9325665 , 2025 2025 Citations: 2
Biochar-based microbial fuel cell C Kuppam, SB Davuluri, VC Kommoju, VN Alugunulla, M Singh, ... Biochar Amendments for Environmental Remediation, 278-290 , 2024 2024 Citations: 1
Evaluation of carbon capture methodologies, mechanisms, and improvements for sustainable carbon dioxide mitigation using microalgae S Krishnamoorthy, C Kuppam, CR Mamilla R Industrial Biotechnology 20 (5), 186-203 , 2024 2024 Citations: 6
Potential applications of microalgae and its derivatives in various industries: A future bioeconomy R Yadavalli, CN Reddy, B Mishra, K Chandrasekhar, Y Vineetha, ... Algal Biotechnology, 223-237 , 2024 2024 Citations: 2
Innovative electrocoagulation strategies for landfill leachate treatment: Comparative analysis of aluminum and iron electrodes SB Davuluri, C Kuppam, VC Kommoju, C David, P Barik, V Kunamineni, ... Separation Science and Technology 59 (3), 481-493 , 2024 2024 Citations: 9
Comparison of analytical method validation guidelines used for release, stability in biosimilar manufacturing process NNP Kumar, A Pakalapati, K Chandrasekhar, CP Durthi Current Trends in Biotechnology and Pharmacy 18 (2), 1798-1812 , 2024 2024 Citations: 2
Synthesis, preparation, and characterization of natural soaps from some selected plant extracts AV Narayana, B Sumalatha, DJ Babu, TC Venkateswarulu, ... Journal of Biochemical Technology 15 (1-2024), 6-11 , 2024 2024 Citations: 5
MOST CITED SCHOLAR PUBLICATIONS
A comprehensive review of microbial electrolysis cells (MEC) reactor designs and configurations for sustainable hydrogen gas production A Kadier, Y Simayi, P Abdeshahian, NF Azman, K Chandrasekhar, ... Alexandria Engineering Journal 55 (1), 427-443 , 2016 2016 Citations: 696
Biohydrogen production: strategies to improve process efficiency through microbial routes K Chandrasekhar, YJ Lee, DW Lee International journal of molecular sciences 16 (4), 8266-8293 , 2015 2015 Citations: 558
Production of biofuels from microalgae-A review on cultivation, harvesting, lipid extraction, and numerous applications of microalgae MK Enamala, S Enamala, M Chavali, J Donepudi, R Yadavalli, B Kolapalli, ... Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews 94, 49-68 , 2018 2018 Citations: 495
Recent advances and emerging challenges in microbial electrolysis cells (MECs) for microbial production of hydrogen and value-added chemicals A Kadier, MS Kalil, P Abdeshahian, K Chandrasekhar, A Mohamed, ... Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews 61, 501-525 , 2016 2016 Citations: 478
Plant-based meat analogue (PBMA) as a sustainable food: A concise review M Singh, N Trivedi, MK Enamala, C Kuppam, P Parikh, MP Nikolova, ... European Food Research and Technology 247 (10), 2499-2526 , 2021 2021 Citations: 312
Recycling of cathode material from spent lithium-ion batteries: Challenges and future perspectives T Raj, K Chandrasekhar, AN Kumar, P Sharma, A Pandey, M Jang, ... Journal of Hazardous Materials 429, 128312 , 2022 2022 Citations: 275
Lignocellulosic biomass as renewable feedstock for biodegradable and recyclable plastics production: A sustainable approach T Raj, K Chandrasekhar, AN Kumar, SH Kim Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews 158, 112130 , 2022 2022 Citations: 265
Recent advances in commercial biorefineries for lignocellulosic ethanol production: Current status, challenges and future perspectives T Raj, K Chandrasekhar, AN Kumar, JR Banu, JJ Yoon, SK Bhatia, ... Bioresource technology 344, 126292 , 2022 2022 Citations: 247
Advanced technologies on the sustainable approaches for conversion of organic waste to valuable bioproducts: Emerging circular bioeconomy perspective V Ashokkumar, G Flora, R Venkatkarthick, K SenthilKannan, C Kuppam, ... Fuel 324, 124313 , 2022 2022 Citations: 240
Waste based hydrogen production for circular bioeconomy: Current status and future directions K Chandrasekhar, S Kumar, BD Lee, SH Kim Bioresource technology 302, 122920 , 2020 2020 Citations: 181
Self-induced bio-potential and graphite electron accepting conditions enhances petroleum sludge degradation in bio-electrochemical system with simultaneous power generation SV Mohan, K Chandrasekhar Bioresource Technology 102 (20), 9532-9541 , 2011 2011 Citations: 179
Solid phase microbial fuel cell (SMFC) for harnessing bioelectricity from composite food waste fermentation: influence of electrode assembly and buffering capacity SV Mohan, K Chandrasekhar Bioresource technology 102 (14), 7077-7085 , 2011 2011 Citations: 173
Surpassing the current limitations of high purity H2 production in microbial electrolysis cell (MECs): Strategies for inhibiting growth of methanogens A Kadier, MS Kalil, K Chandrasekhar, G Mohanakrishna, GD Saratale, ... Bioelectrochemistry 119, 211-219 , 2018 2018 Citations: 163
A comprehensive overview on light independent fermentative hydrogen production from wastewater feedstock and possible integrative options G Kumar, P Sivagurunathan, A Pugazhendhi, NBD Thi, G Zhen, ... Energy Conversion and Management 141, 390-402 , 2017 2017 Citations: 163
Use of industrial wastes as sustainable nutrient sources for bacterial cellulose (BC) production: Mechanism, advances, and future perspectives A Kadier, RA Ilyas, MRM Huzaifah, N Harihastuti, SM Sapuan, ... Polymers 13 (19), 3365 , 2021 2021 Citations: 155
Hydrogen gas production with an electroformed Ni mesh cathode catalysts in a single-chamber microbial electrolysis cell (MEC) A Kadier, Y Simayi, K Chandrasekhar, M Ismail, MS Kalil International Journal of Hydrogen Energy 40 (41), 14095-14103 , 2015 2015 Citations: 155
Bioelectrochemical systems using microalgae–A concise research update RG Saratale, C Kuppam, A Mudhoo, GD Saratale, S Periyasamy, G Zhen, ... Chemosphere 177, 35-43 , 2017 2017 Citations: 154
Synthesis of γ-valerolactone (GVL) and their applications for lignocellulosic deconstruction for sustainable green biorefineries T Raj, K Chandrasekhar, R Banu, JJ Yoon, G Kumar, SH Kim Fuel 303, 121333 , 2021 2021 Citations: 150
Bio-electrochemical remediation of real field petroleum sludge as an electron donor with simultaneous power generation facilitates biotransformation of PAH: effect of substrate … K Chandrasekhar, SV Mohan Bioresource technology 110, 517-525 , 2012 2012 Citations: 149
Aerobic remediation of petroleum sludge through soil supplementation: microbial community analysis MV Reddy, MP Devi, K Chandrasekhar, RK Goud, SV Mohan Journal of hazardous materials 197, 80-87 , 2011 2011 Citations: 139
