Current state-of-the-art in ethanol production from lignocellulosic feedstocks

Abstract The renewable lignocellulosic biomass is a sustainable feedstock for the production of bioethanol, which shows the potential to replace fossil fuels. Due to the recalcitrant structure of plant cell wall, which is made of cellulose, hemicellulose and lignin, the biomass conversion process requires the use of efficient pretreatment process before enzymatic hydrolysis and fermentation to degrade the crystallinity of cellulose fibres and to remove lignin from biomass. Proper pretreatment techniques, economical production of cellulolytic enzymes, and effective fermentation of glucose and xylose in the presence of inhibitors are key challenges for the viable production of bioethanol. Although new strains capable of fermenting xylose are being designed, they are often not resistant to toxic compounds in hydrolysates. This paper provides an in-depth review of lignocellulosic bioethanol production via biochemical route, focusing on the most widely used pretreatment technologies and key operational conditions of enzymatic hydrolysis and fermentation considering sugar/ethanol yields. In addition, this review examines the relevant detoxification strategies for the removal of toxic substances and the importance of immobilization. The review also indicates potential usage of engineered microorganisms to improve glucose and xylose fermentation, cellulolytic enzymes production, and response to stress conditions.