Bioprospecting of Microorganisms for Biofuel Production

Abstract

Microbial biofuels have captured considerable scientific attention as they can reduce the world’s reliance on fossil energy sources by meeting the rising energy demands, reducing the emission of greenhouse gases and overcoming other environmental challenges. It acts as a clean alternative energy source, therefore ensuring energy security and combating the drastic climate change. Extensive research is being done to develop microbial biofuels having high yield and social stability which can be used as affordable energy. This chapter emphasizes a range of microbes used in the valorization of multifarious lignocellulosic biomass into sustainable and economically significant biofuel. Although many microorganisms are reported to be involved in biofuel production, efficient bioconversion of complex sugars into simple sugars still remains a challenge. Great strides have been made in recent years towards genetic engineering of microorganisms to enhance saccharification of lignocellulosic biomass, lessen the production of inhibitory sugars and enhance the tolerance of desirable end product towards fermenting microbes. Saccharomyces sp., Kluyveromyces sp., Clostridium sp., and Trichoderma sp. have been extensively exploited to obtain a high yield of simpler sugars, less amount of inhibitory compounds and high yield of biofuel. This chapter aims to review the important fermenting microbes being used in the production of different types of biofuels.