Bioethanol from lignocellulosic biomass: Renewable sources and enzyme technology for sustainable energy production

Abstract

Renewable sources, available globally in the form of residual agricultural biomass, i.e. lignocellulosic feedstock, can be transformed into liquid biofuels. Bioethanol produced from renewable lignocellulosic feedstock has great potential to reduce greenhouse gasses emissions and energy crisis, related to the combustion of fossil fuels. However, the complex structure of lignocellulosic feedstock imposes many problems to its conversion to bioethanol. Many of those problems are addressed to the enzymatic hydrolysis during which biomass polymers, primarily cellulose, are degraded to simple sugars. Achieving proper interaction between cellulose and cellulases, enzyme complex degrading cellulose, is crucial for efficient biomass hydrolysis, and thus viable and cost effective overall bioethanol production. Therefore, understanding of mechanisms of enzymatic depolymerization of lignocellulosic feedstock along with production of new and improved enzymes may provide global usage of this valuable renewable source for bioethanol production and ensure sustainable energy supply which is environmentally beneficial.