Abstract
Lignocellulosic biomass has arisen as a solution to our energy and environmental challenges because it is rich in feedstock that can be converted to biofuels. Converting lignocellulosic biomass to sugar is a complicated system involved in the bioconversion process. There are indeed a variety of techniques that have been utilized in the bioconversion process consisting of physical, chemical, and biological approaches. However, most of them have drawbacks when used on a large scale, which include the high cost of processing, the development of harmful inhibitors, and the detoxification of the inhibitors that have been produced. These constraints, taken together, hinder the effectiveness of current solutions and demand for the invention of a new, productive, cost-effective, and environmentally sustainable technique for LB processing. In this context, the approach of nanotechnology utilizing various nanomaterials and nanoparticles in treating lignocellulose biomass and bioenergy conversion has achieved increased interest and has been explored greatly in recent times. This mini review delves into the application of nanotechnological techniques in the bioconversion of lignocellulose biomass into bioenergy. This review on nanotechnological application in biomass conversion provides insights and development tools for the expansion of new sectors, resulting in excellent value and productivity, contributing to the long-term economic progress.
Highlights
Lignocellulose is a generic term used to describe the cell wall of plants which constitutes of cellulose (38–50%), hemicellulose (17–32%), and lignin (15–30%), where cellulose and hemicellulose consist of pentose and hexose sugar monomers, whereas lignin consists of polyphenol aromatics (Jönsson and Martín, 2016; Elumalai et al, 2018; Garlapati et al, 2020)
Nanoscale instrumentation such as atomic force microscopy has assisted in measuring cellulose fibril, while other nanotechnology-based instruments have facilitated in comprehending the cell wall ultrastructure, deconstruction microscopic analysis, and enzymatic mechanisms, all of which are extremely beneficial information in the biofuel production field
A general concern exists with the current pretreatment technique which is considered non-economical for the generation of biofuel such as the hydrolysis process of biomass which consumes significant amount of energy
Summary
Lignocellulose is a generic term used to describe the cell wall of plants which constitutes of cellulose (38–50%), hemicellulose (17–32%), and lignin (15–30%), where cellulose and hemicellulose consist of pentose and hexose sugar monomers, whereas lignin consists of polyphenol aromatics (Jönsson and Martín, 2016; Elumalai et al, 2018; Garlapati et al, 2020). It is reported that by 2030, the supply of lignocellulose biomasses in the United States alone would be 450 million dry tonnes per year, which can generate 67 million gallons of ethanol per year (Valdivia et al, 2016) Despite these advantages, biomasses are recalcitrant in nature owing to their cellulose crystallinity and non-reactive lignin. Pretreatment techniques are required to allow the cellulose to be amenable to the enzymatic hydrolysis process that subsequently assists in the extraction of fermentable sugars prior to the biofuel generation processes Technological limitations such as high cost and inadequacy in the existing infrastructure have posed major challenges in attaining high quality and yield of bioenergy from lignocellulosic material. The challenges and perspectives for future progress in bioenergy generation from lignocellulosic biomasses are highlighted
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