Efficient Hydrolysis of Lignocellulosic Biomass: Potential Challenges and Future Perspectives for Biorefineries

TLDR: Valorization of biomass is greatly influenced by generation of co-products in biorefining processes and their selective recovery, which may considerably reduce the cost involved in biofuel production.

Abstract: Dwindling of petroleum-based fuels together with their frightening environmental effects has enforced the emergence of lignocellulose-based biorefineries Being most abundant and bio-renewable, lignocellulosic biomass holds enormous potential for production of biofuels, bio-based chemicals and materials for a sustainable energy future Utilization of lignocellulosic materials in a biorefinery requires a well-designed pre-treatment technology with reasonable processing cost for deconstruction of the lignocellulose complex Current technologies rely on chemical, physico-chemical and biochemical conversion routes for effective hydrolysis of lignocellulosic materials Identification of novel enzymes and microbes to counteract the pre-treatment-induced inhibitory products is a prime area of research as chemical detoxification method carries financial constrains Valorization of biomass is greatly influenced by generation of co-products in biorefining processes and their selective recovery, which may considerably reduce the cost involved in biofuel production The lab-to-industry transition of a bioprocess technology necessitates a sound techno-economical evaluation for optimum product yield to hit the market place