Potential of biofuels production from wheat straw biomass, current achievements and perspectives: a review

Abstract

This paper was developed to review the application of biorefinery techniques that produce bio-materials and biofuels from agricultural waste, such as wheat straw. Attention was concentrated upon wheat straw, because it was reported as a high value-added raw material for biorefinery applications, thus emphasizing the value of a systematic literature review of this content area. Energy production from non-renewable sources is one of the main reasons for climate change and greenhouse gas emissions. Biomass is the main source of energy that makes up between 10 and 14% of the world’s energy supply. Agricultural waste is a large energy resource with no nutritional value to humans. Wheat straw is an abundant agricultural waste with lower commercial value compared to other lignocellulosic materials. The study demonstrated that wheat straw is being used for biofuels production in eco-friendly processes. Nevertheless, wheat straw compared to other biomass (wood, algae, and corn stover) is relatively less beneficial, but its higher bioethanol potential and production yields. A large amount of wheat straw is produced in the world at different stages of agricultural production, which can all be used as a source of green energy. HIGHLIGHTS Review literature for wheat straw as feedstock in biorefineries was carried out. Wheat straw conversion into bioethanol and other beneficial bio-materials was studied. Wheat straw for bioethanol was confirmed as a sustainable choice for transporting fuels. This review paper, studied the competitiveness between biorefinery and oil-refinery products.