Pretreatment of Lignocellulosic Biomass for Bioenergy Production

Pretreatment of Lignocellulosic Biomass for Bioenergy Production presents the latest developments in the pretreatment of recalcitrant lignocellulosic materials. With an emphasis on commercially ready and near-commercially ready technologies, the book comprehensively analyzes the physical, chemical, and biological methods for biomass pretreatment. Sections cover a systematic review of the anatomy and ultrastructure of plant cell walls, the chemical structure of cellulose, hemicelluloses, lignin, lignin-carbohydrate complexes, and the methods for their analysis. With its extensive coverage of pretreatment techniques, structural analysis, and utilization of by-products, this book serves as a valuable resource for researchers and professionals in the field of biofuel production. Additional sections delve into the various pretreatment technologies, including physical, physical-chemical, chemical, biological, and combined approaches. The advantages and disadvantages are examined, and industrial and pre-industrial applications are presented. Finally, saccharification and fermentation methods, enzyme engineering, and the utilization of by-products generated during the pretreatment and fermentation processes are covered. By-products such as xylan, 5-HMF, furfural, phenolic compounds, organic acids, and lignin are discussed in terms of their further conversion and applications.