Lignocellulose Bioconversion: Technical Aspects and New Developments

GAMBOA SANTOS JULIANA; ALZAMENDI ANA

Lignocellulose Bioconversion Through White Biotechnology

Wiley

Año: 2022; p. 55 - 82

The circular economy approach utilized the resources throughout their shelf-life towards maximally profitable usage focusing on the recovery and regeneration of materials at the end of each life cycle product. Bio-refineries carried out the transformation of carbon hold from rural biomass and natural wastes into value-added biomaterials and bio-chemicals. As a consequence, the bio-refinery concept is a strategic point to make the cost of the process economically viable and to promote the usage of lesser greenhouse emissions. Besides, lignocellulosic (LC) biomass is considered the most abundant renewable resource of carbon in the planet.Cellulosic bio-refineries usually focus on the saccharification of cellulose to obtain monomeric glucose for the production of bio-ethanol. The removal of hemicellulose and lignin component will ensure a more efficient sugar yield in downstream bio-ethanol processes. Lignin is a useful feedstock for synthesizing aromatic-based chemicals.The aim of this chapter is to explore the available pre-treatments methods and the innovative developments to address the best bioconversion strategy focusing on the pre-treatment stage. Pre-treatment has been considered as an expensive stage in LC biomass transformation processes. However, a successful pre-treatment of LC biomass could break down the recalcitrant lignin structure and disrupt the crystallinity of cellulose for enhancing the enzymes accessibility.