The field of bioprocess engineering is witnessing exciting advances in its quest to address the critical issues of waste management and resource conservation, with a particular focus on nutrient recirculation and waste valorization. Driven by the urgent necessity to tackle climate change and global resource scarcity, researchers are seeking to harness the potential of microbial systems to transform various waste streams into useful resources. Recent studies have highlighted the promise of novel microbial bioprocesses and bioenergy solutions in facilitating these transformations, yet several challenges and questions remain. What are the most effective approaches to optimize microbial activity for waste conversion, and how can these processes be scaled for real-world applications? Scholars continue to debate the best pathways for achieving sustainable waste valorization, highlighting the need for further investigation in this pivotal research field.

This Research Topic aims to explore innovative microbial bioprocesses and bioenergy concepts that can convert urban and industrial wastes into biofuels, bioproducts, and nutrients. A central goal is to investigate the integration of advanced bioreactor designs and adaptive laboratory evolution with microbial bioprocess systems, to unlock new sustainable pathways in waste valorization. Another vital objective is to assess how digital technologies, particularly artificial intelligence and machine learning, can optimize these bioprocesses for greater efficiency and scalability. In doing so, this research will contribute to the broader objective of embedding circular economy principles into waste management practices.

To gather further insights in transforming waste into valuable resources through microbial processes, we welcome articles addressing, but not limited to, the following themes:

- The role of innovative bioreactor designs in enhancing microbial processes
- Adaptive laboratory evolution to optimize microbial pathways
- Application of AI and machine learning in bioprocess optimization
- Case studies on urban and industrial waste valorization through microorganisms
- Economic and environmental impacts of incorporating circular economy principles in bioprocess engineering

This collection welcomes submissions of Original Research, Review, Mini Review, and Perspective articles.

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Revolutionizing Waste Valorization: Microbial Bioprocesses for a Circular Economy