Bioethanol has been recognized as a potential alternative to petroleum-derived transportation fuels. Even if cellulosic biomass is less expensive than corn and sugarcane, the higher costs for its conversion make the near-term price of cellulosic ethanol higher than that of corn ethanol and even more than that of sugarcane ethanol. Conventional process for bioethanol production from lignocellulose includes a chemical/physical pre-treatment of lignocellulose for lignin removal, mostly based on auto hydrolysis and acid hydrolysis, followed by saccharification of the free accessible cellulose portions of the biomass. The highest yields of fermentable sugars from cellulose portion are achieved by means of enzymatic hydrolysis, currently carried out using a mix of cellulases from the fungus Trichoderma reesei. Reduction of (hemi)cellulases production costs is strongly required to increase competitiveness of second generation bioethanol production. The final step is the fermentation of sugars obtained from saccharification, typically performed by the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae. The current process is optimized for 6-carbon sugars fermentation, since most of yeasts cannot ferment 5-carbon sugars. Thus, research is aimed at exploring new engineered yeasts abilities to co-ferment 5- and 6-carbon sugars. Among the main routes to advance cellulosic ethanol, consolidate bio-processing, namely direct conversion of biomass into ethanol by a genetically modified microbes, holds tremendous potential to reduce ethanol production costs. Finally, the use of all the components of lignocellulose to produce a large spectra of biobased products is another challenge for further improving competitiveness of second generation bioethanol production, developing a biorefinery.

Lignocellulosic Biomass to Liquid Biofuels explores the existing technologies and most recent developments for the production of second generation liquid biofuels, providing an introduction to lignocellulosic biomass and the processes for its conversion into biofuels. The book demonstrates biorefinery concepts compared with petro refinery, as well as the challenges of second generation biofuels processing. In addition to current pre-treatment techniques and their technical, environmental and economic implications, chapters included also further examine the particularities of conversion processes for bioethanol, biobutanol and biodiesel through chemical, biochemical and combined approaches. Finally, the book looks into concepts and tools for techno-economic and environmental analysis, which include supply chain assessment, by-products, zero-waste techniques and process evaluation and optimization. Lignocellulosic Biomass to Liquid Biofuels is particularly useful for researchers in the field of liquid biofuels seeking alternative chemical and biochemical pathways or those interested advanced methods to calculate maximum yield for each process and methods to simulate the implications and costs of scaling up. Furthermore, with the introduction provided by this volume, researchers and graduate students entering the field will be able to quickly get up to speed and identify knowledge gaps in existing and upcoming technology the book’s comprehensive overview. Examines the state-of-the-art technology for liquid biofuels production from lignocellulosic biomass Provides a comprehensive overview of the existing chemical and biochemical processes for second generation biofuel conversion Presents tools for the techno-economic and environmental analysis of technologies, as well as for the scale-up simulation of conversion processes

HANDBOOK of BIOMASS VALORIZATION for INDUSTRIAL APPLICATIONS The handbook provides a comprehensive view of cutting-edge research on biomass valorization, from advanced fabrication methodologies through useful derived materials, to current and potential application sectors. Industrial sectors, such as food, textiles, petrochemicals and pharmaceuticals, generate massive amounts of waste each year, the disposal of which has become a major issue worldwide. As a result, implementing a circular economy that employs sustainable practices in waste management is critical for any industry. Moreover, fossil fuels, which are the primary sources of fuel in the transportation sector, are also being rapidly depleted at an alarming rate. Therefore, to combat these global issues without increasing our carbon footprint, we must look for renewable resources to produce chemicals and biomaterials. In that context, agricultural waste materials are gaining popularity as cost-effective and abundantly available alternatives to fossil resources for the production of a variety of value-added products, including renewable fuels, fuel components, and fuel additives. Handbook of Biomass Valorization for Industrial Applications investigates current and emerging feedstocks, as well as provides in-depth technical information on advanced catalytic processes and technologies that enable the development of all possible alternative energy sources. The 22 chapters of this book comprehensively cover the valorization of agricultural wastes and their various uses in value-added applications like energy, biofuels, fertilizers, and wastewater treatment. Audience The book is intended for a very broad audience working in the fields of materials sciences, chemical engineering, nanotechnology, energy, environment, chemistry, etc. This book will be an invaluable reference source for the libraries in universities and industrial institutions, government and independent institutes, individual research groups, and scientists working in the field of valorization of biomass.

Lignocellulose Bioconversion Through White Biotechnology Comprehensive resource summarizing the recent technological advancements in white biotechnology and biomass conversion into fuels, chemicals, food, and more Lignocellulose Bioconversion Through White Biotechnology presents cutting-edge information on lignocellulose biomass conversion, detailing how white biotechnology can develop sustainable biomass pretreatment methods, effective plant cell wall degrading enzymes to yield high quality cellulosic sugars, and the eventual conversion of these sugars into fuels, chemicals, and other materials. To provide comprehensive coverage of the subject, the work offers in-depth critical analysis into both techno-economic and life cycle analysis of lignocellulose-based products. Each of the 16 chapters, written by a well-qualified and established researchers, academics, or engineers, presents key information on a specific facet of lignocellulose-based products. Topics covered include: Lignocellulose feedstock availability, types of feedstock, and potential crops that are of high interest to the industry Lignocellulose bioconversion, including both foundational technical aspects and new modern developments Plant cell wall degrading enzymes, including cellulase improvement and production challenges/solutions when scaling up Improvements and challenges when considering fermenting microorganisms for cellulosic sugars utilization Scaling up of lignocellulose conversion, including insight into current challenges and future practices Techno-economic aspects of lignocellulose feedstock conversion, green consumerism and industrialization aspects of renewable fuels/chemicals Students, academics, researchers, bio-business analysts, and policy-makers working on sustainable fuels, chemicals, materials, and renewable fuels can use Lignocellulose Bioconversion Through White Biotechnology to gain invaluable expert insight into the subject, its current state of the art, and potential exciting future avenues to explore.

Recent Advances in Bioconversion of Lignocellulose to Biofuels and Value Added Chemicals within the Biorefinery Concept covers the latest developments on biorefineries, along with their potential use for the transformation of residues into a broad range of more valuable products. Within this context, the book discusses the enzymatic conversion process of lignocellulosic biomass to generate fuels and other products in a unified approach. It focuses on new approaches to increase enzymatic production by microorganisms, the action of microbial inhibitors, and strategies for their removal. Furthermore, it outlines the benefits of this integrated approach for generating value-added products and the benefits to social and economic aspects, circular bio economy, HUBs and perspectives. Covers the mechanisms of enzymatic conversion of biomass into value-added products Discusses bioproducts derived from lignocellulose and their applications Includes discussions on design, development and the technologies needed for the sustainable manufacture of materials and chemicals Offers a techno-economic evaluation of biorefineries for integrated sustainability assessments Discusses the socioeconomic and cultural-economic perspectives of the lignocellulosic biorefinery Presents a virtual biorefinery as an integrated approach to evaluate the lignocellulose production chain