Efficient Utilization of Lignocellulosic Biomass: Hydrolysis Methods for Biorefineries

Abstract

The environmental impact, as well as the limited stock of fossil fuels, has led to significant interest in lignocellulosic biomass for the generation of biofuels. The pre-treatment of the recalcitrant and complex lignocellulosic biomass enables the enzyme-catalyzed hydrolysis to produce monosaccharides. The sugars are then fermented by microbes to produce fuels. Such fuels face steep competition from the easily extractable and cheaper fossil-based fuels. Biorefineries constitute a broad class of processes that sustainably convert the biomass into one or many products or novel products efficiently. Here we discuss the processes that are considered to be the vital elements of biorefining systems. In particular, we detail the recent development in the conversion of biomass to sugar and the enzyme technologies for cost-effective biorefinery strategies.