I Nternational J Ournal of

Abstract

Environmental concerns and rising oil prices have led to development of biofuels from crop residue lignocelluloses, among which wheat straw is an important feedstock used in leading commercial bioethanol processes. Lignocellulose is structured in a way that makes direct bioconversion of biomass into sugars by hydrolytic enzymes difficult and unfeasible, requiring a pretreatment step. Common biomass pretreatment technologies are assessed for potential application in obtaining fermentable sugars of wheat straw. Current outlook, challenges and opportunities on enzymatic hydrolysis of lignocellulose are also presented.