Abstract
Lignocellulosic biomass has gained increasing recognition in the past decades for the production of value-added products (VAPs). Biomass feedstocks obtained from various sources, their composition, and pretreatment techniques employed for delignification into bioenergy production are discussed. The conversion processes of biomass into VAPs involve various methods. Notable among them are biochemical conversions; namely, anaerobic digestion and ethanol fermentation, and thermo-chemical conversions; namely, pyrolysis and gasification which are considered in this chapter. Microalgae can adapt to changes in the environment, producing biomass that serves as a precursor for a variety of biomolecules, such as proteins, which find their application in pharmaceutical, cosmetic, and biofuel industries. Suitable strains of freshwater microalgae biomass contain high levels of lipid which can be harnessed for bioenergy production. Hence, the advancement in the conversion of biomass into VAPs could help scientists and environmentalists for sustainable use of biomass in future developments.
Highlights
Biomass resources are readily available globally as residual wastes derived from agricultural and industrial sources
The hemicellulose is present as the matrix that surrounds the cellulose skeleton, while lignin is present as an encrusting material and serves as a protective layer
Microalgae have the capacity to adapt to changes in the environment, producing biomass that serves as a precursor for a variety of biomolecules; such as proteins, pigments, vitamins, lipids, and carbohydrates, in addition to finding applications in pharmaceutical, cosmetic, food and biofuel industries [32]
Summary
Biomass resources are readily available globally as residual wastes derived from agricultural and industrial sources Crop residues such as corn straw, wheat straw, and rice straw are classified as important and relatively abundant renewable biomass resources [1, 2]. Lignocellulose arises from corn straw containing non-edible plant material, composed largely of cellulose, hemicellulose, and lignin. LB is a composite, based on intertwined biopolymers on a dry basis, consisting of 35–45% cellulose, 25–30% hemicellulose, and 25–30% lignin [9] These are classified into four major proportions based on their source, namely, woody biomass, agricultural residues (for example, rice/wheat/barley straws, corn stover, sugarcane bagasse), energy crops (switchgrass, Miscanthus and short-rotation hardwood is grown for biofuel production) and a group of cellulosic wastes (for example, municipal solid waste, pulp mill and lumber mill wastes) [10].
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