Current Methodologies and Advances in Bio-ethanol Production

Abstract

Scarcity of non-renewable energy sources has paved need for sustainable and renewable biofuels from biomass. Of all natural resources used for production of biofuel, lignocellulosic biomass (producing second generation biofuel) are most attractive as they are highly abundant and easily available throughout the year. Various measures for maximal and efficient utilization of these lignocellulosic biomass for production of biofuels (bio-ethanol, biodiesel and biogas) have been taken including pretreatment, saccharification and fermentation process. In the present chapter we have consolidated relevant applications for bioethanol production, which includes a brief overview of the current status and biochemical route towards bioethanol production. Various approaches like tailoring of hydrolytic enzymes to increase the specific activity of particular enzymatic reaction and contributions by prominent scientists for effective utilization of celluloses and hemicelluloses for bioethanol production have been discussed. We have also highlighted the comparison on utilization of simple sugars (hexoses and pentoses) by bacteria and fungi and described the recent advanced techniques utilized for the production of ethanol.