Lignocellulosic Biomass – A Sustainable Feedstock for Acetone-Butanol-Ethanol Fermentation

Suraya Abdul Sani,Rahmath Abdulla,Ainol Azifa Mohd Faik,Mohd Khalizan Sabullah,Lorianna Mahalingam,Mailin Misson

doi:10.3311/ppch.18574

Abstract

Biobutanol has been identified as a promising future biofuel. However, generally the extraction and separation of biobutanol from the fermentation mixture is a costly process. Therefore, the idea of using acetone-butanol-ethanol (ABE) mixture directly as biofuel were proposed to eliminate the recovery process. ABE has been identified as a promising future biofuel. The feedstocks play an important role in the feasibility of ABE as a fuel. Lignocellulosic biomass is seen as a promising feedstock for the production of biofuels. Thus, in this review, ABE biofuel is been summarized from three aspects namely (i) selection of feedstocks, (ii) microbial selection and (iii) hydrolysis, fermentation, and purification techniques. Anaerobic fermentation together with commonly employed recovery processes are discussed in the second part of this review. This review concludes with different challenges and future research in ABE fermentation that can pave the way for future commercialization of this promising biofuel.

Highlights

Biomass, one of the well-known renewable resources, are utilized to produce various types of biofuels which in turn can support up to 14% of the world's energy demands [1]
Anaerobic fermentation together with commonly employed recovery processes are discussed in the second part of this review
This review concludes with different challenges and future research in ABE fermentation that can pave the way for future commercialization of this promising biofuel

Summary

Introduction

One of the well-known renewable resources, are utilized to produce various types of biofuels which in turn can support up to 14% of the world's energy demands [1]. Due to the food vs fuel feud, lignocellulosic biomass namely corn straw, rice straw, apple pomace, cassava bagasse, wheat straw, and oil palm empty fruit bunches are gaining immense potential as a sustainable and renewable feedstock for ABE production [23]. Use of microalgae such as Chlorella sp., Schizochytrium sp., and Botryococcus braunii as feedstocks are gaining importance these days [24]. The mutation of the Clostridium strains through molecular engineering was expected to increase the bacterial tolerance towards the solvent produced during the fermentation process and helps to maintain the bacteria cell density during the solventogenic phase. Another research of co-culture between Bacillus subtilis and Clostridium butylicum resulted in a 6.5-fold in ABE production compared to single culture (Clostridium butylicum) [74]

Pre-treatment An ideal pe-treatment should include a few important aspects

Findings

Conclusion