Tolulope Adeleye

With over 10 years of experience in microbiology teaching, research, and bioprocessing, specialising in sustainable solutions for the food, feed, and energy sectors. Strong track record in optimizing microbial bioprocesses, fermentation, food fortification, and managing multidisciplinary teams. Expertise includes microbial strain improvement, enzyme production, and waste valorization. Notably, led a research team in Nigeria to locally produce tannase for poultry feed improvement. Received the TETFund Postdoctoral Fellowship to visit the University of Oxford in 2022. Recognized by Nigeria's Raw Material Research and Development Council for bioethanol production from cassava starch. Earned multiple international accolades from professional bodies.

• Led a multidisciplinary research team in the local production of tannase for improvement of poultry feed, in Nigeria.
• National awardee of the Tertiary Education Trust fund (TETFund) Postdoctoral fellowship by Nigerian Government to visit University of Oxford 06/22 – 12/22.
• Recognized by the Raw Material Research and Development Council of the Ministry of Science and Technology, Nigeria to produce Bioethanol from cassava starch.
• Multiple International recognition by professional bodies.

• Microbiology Society, UK
• Federation of European Microbiology Societies (FEMS)
• Applied Microbiology International (AMI), UK
• Society for Industrial Microbiology and Biotechnology (SIMB), USA
• American Society for Microbiology (ASM), USA
• Nigerian Society of Microbiology (NSM), Nigeria

• 2021, Co-chairing Session on 'Exploring the eukaryotic tree of life' @ Microbiology Society (UK) Annual Conference Online.
• 2020 - 2024, Member Planning Committee College of Biosciences Social activities.

The fellowship was awarded towards the study of ultrasound pre-treatment of crassulacean acid metabolism (cam) plants for biogas and biorefinery. The research was hosted by Professor Ian Thompson of the Department of Engineering Sciences, University of Oxford. The studies were carried out in the Institute of Advanced Technology, Oxford University Begbroke Science Park, from June 05, 2022, and was successfully completed by December 05, 2022.

This study was conducted to investigate the influence of operating parameters in an ultrasonic bioreactor designed for the enhancement of sonochemical and mechanoacoustic properties of selected CAM plants (wastes from sisal and pineapple processing) to for biogas and biorefinery applications in an anaerobic digester and as a carbon source for bio-protein. This study addresses certain concerns of sustainable developmental goals which include the need to combat climate change through waste management and the development of sustainable industry through innovations.

Results obtained showed the efficiency of the bespoke high frequency ultrasound probe in valorization of pineapple wastes and sisal waste. It was also observed that different CAM plants have varying degree of susceptibility to biodegradation. For example, the sisal wastes are more recalcitrant in nature when compared to pineapple wastes and may require further processing time for higher yields of desired value products. Increase in time of ultrasonication at high frequency increased can increase the degree of valorisation of biomass.

Research on CAM plants will revolutionize bio-energy industry, providing a competing alternative as feedstock. The study is equally a promising utilization of huge amounts of waste (over 90% of substrate) being generated from decortication in the fiber production industry. The success of the study has huge applications in a variety of other industries including food production providing edible protein for food fortification, and as an alternative source of bioenergy CAM plants pose little ecological or economic competition to food production thereby addressing the concerns on food insecurity which is a threat posed by commercially available energy crops. In addition, the research study addresses certain concerns of sustainable developmental goals which includes the need to combat climate change and the development of sustainable industry through innovations and building of infrastructure.

By the visit, I have formed collaborations with researchers at the University of Oxford. This will provide an opportunity to extend my research towards consolidating optimized parameters for competitive bioprocessing of ultrasonicated CAM plants and upscale to the pilot studies and then commercialization of the variety of value chain products. I believe this would contribute positively to research excellence at Federal University of Agriculture Abeokuta, especially in areas of bioeconomy, biorefinery, food security which are main pathways for achieving sustainable development goals and especially net zero-emission, in the nearest future. The development an efficient bioprocessing protocol for feedstock/ energy crops such as CAM plants is a major key to open many research opportunities in biochemicals, biofuels and even in protein research in the United Kingdom and further collaboration with my home country, Nigeria which is a developing but bio-resource rich region.