Role of Natural Deep Eutectic Solvents (NADES) in the Pretreatment of Lignocellulosic Biomass for an Integrated Biorefinery and Bioprocessing Concept

Abstract

Currently, biorefinery process from cellulosic biomass is complex and energy-intensive where biomass fractionation, a key step for production of biomass-derived chemicals, demands conventional organic solvents. Since there is a clear and an unmet need for a robust and affordable biomass conversion technology, researchers are constantly developing novel, cost-effective green solvents that are eco-friendly, benign, renewable, and biodegradable in nature. In this perspective, natural deep eutectic solvents, commonly referred as NADES, have been evolved as the most advanced green solvents entirely made up of natural compounds to combat and deconstruct the recalcitrance of lignocellulosic biomass into the extraction of potential renewable chemicals. Although NADES are characteristically similar to deep eutectic solvents (DESs) and ionic liquids, NADES have shown advantages to combat the challenges associated with ionic liquids and DES by being highly specific and green in nature. Moreover, NADES could be recovered and recycled without losing their efficiency, making these solvents highly economical and sustainable. In this chapter, we have comprehensively described the applicability of NADES in biorefinery and bioprocessing as an effective tool of lignocellulosic biomass pretreatment for bioconversion processes.