Beyond ethanol: Contribution of various bioproducts to enhance the viability of biorefineries

Abstract

Environmental pollution by the extensive use of fossil fuels and petroleum-based products is a current worldwide concern. In this context, the development of valuable products from renewable sources is an interesting and environmentally friendly alternative. Lignocellulosic biomass is a renewable low cost feedstock that presents in its composition high quantity of cellulose, carbohydrate extensively studied to produce cellulosic ethanol. However, considering the high cost of 2G ethanol process, the coupled production of other products can help the economic viability in a context of a biorefinery producing bioenergy, biopolymers, biopharmaceutical, nutrients, pigments, surfactants, biochemical, and others, from different fractions of biomass. Products with high economic value such as vitamins B7, B12, C and E, riboflavin, xylitol and lactic acid can be obtained by biotechnological route from sugars released after hydrolysis of cellulose and hemicellulose fraction present in biomass. Thus, an integrated industry that can direct production considering market fluctuation could be thought, taking advantage of biotechnological routes. In this chapter, biorefinery concept is briefly discussed and some bioproducts that can contribute with economic viability of current biorefineries are presented. Some interesting possibilities were discussed, including different compounds with a variety of applications as substitute of traditional products or representing new and innovative ones.