Lignocellulose biotechnology: issues of bioconversion and enzyme production

TLDR: The aim of this review is to remind ourselves and other scientists working in related areas of lignocellulose research of the enormous economic potential of the bioprocessing of residual plant materials generally regarded as “waste”, and to highlight some of the modern approaches which potentially could be used to tackle one of the major impediments, namely high enzyme cost.

Abstract: This review is written from the perspective of scientists working in lignocellulose bioconversion in a developing country and the aim of this review is to remind ourselves and other scientists working in related areas of lignocellulose research of the enormous economic potential of the bioprocessing of residual plant materials generally regarded as “waste”, and secondly to highlight some of the modern approaches which potentially could be used to tackle one of the major impediments, namely high enzyme cost, to speed-up the extensive commercialisation of the lignocellulose bioprocessing. Key words : lignocellulose, bioconversion, enzyme cost. African Journal of Biotechnology Vol. 2 (12), pp. 602-619, December 2003