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The Production of Bioethanol from Lignocellulosic Biomass: Pretreatment Methods, Fermentation, and Downstream Processing

Author

Listed:
  • Sunčica Beluhan

    (Department of Biochemical Engineering, Faculty of Food Technology and Biotechnology, University of Zagreb, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia)

  • Katarina Mihajlovski

    (Department of Biochemical Engineering and Biotechnology, Faculty of Technology and Metallurgy, University of Belgrade, 11000 Belgrade, Serbia)

  • Božidar Šantek

    (Department of Biochemical Engineering, Faculty of Food Technology and Biotechnology, University of Zagreb, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia)

  • Mirela Ivančić Šantek

    (Department of Biochemical Engineering, Faculty of Food Technology and Biotechnology, University of Zagreb, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia)

Abstract

Bioethanol is the most widely used alternative transportation fuel to petrol. Bioethanol is considered a clean, renewable, and environmentally friendly fuel that can contribute to climate change mitigation, decreased environmental pollution, and enhanced energy security. Commercial bioethanol production is based on traditional agricultural crops such as corn, sugarcane, and sugarbeet, primarily used as food and feed. In order to meet the growing demand for this fuel and decrease competition in the food and biofuel sectors for the same feedstock, other raw materials and process technologies have been intensively studied. Lignocellulosic biomass is one of the most abundant renewable resources, with it being rich in compounds that could be processed into energy, transportation fuels, various chemical compounds, and diverse materials. Bioethanol production from lignocellulosic biomass has received substantial attention in recent decades. This review gives an overview of bioethanol production steps from lignocellulosic biomass and challenges in the production process. The following aspects of bioethanol production are covered here, including pretreatment methods, process strategies, strain development, ethanol isolation and purification, and technical hurdles.

Suggested Citation

  • Sunčica Beluhan & Katarina Mihajlovski & Božidar Šantek & Mirela Ivančić Šantek, 2023. "The Production of Bioethanol from Lignocellulosic Biomass: Pretreatment Methods, Fermentation, and Downstream Processing," Energies, MDPI, vol. 16(19), pages 1-38, October.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jeners:v:16:y:2023:i:19:p:7003-:d:1256036
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    References listed on IDEAS

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