Review on progress in cellulase catalyzed saccharification of agricultural lignocellulosic biomass towards fermentable sugar and bioethanol: Kinetics & reactor configurations
Sohini Roy Choudhury, Averi Das, Rajat Chakraborty
Abstract
The increasing global demands towards green energy and alcoholic beverages can be solved with bioethanol production for sustainable biorefinery operations and human consumption from waste lignocellulosic biomass (WLB) primarily from agricultural residues. The under-utilized agricultural WLB (AWLBs) (sugarcane bagasse , wheat-straw, rice straw, corn stover , etc.) can be leveraged by breaking down complex biopolymers into FS through both chemical and biochemical catalysis. However, biocatalysis emerge as a more effective substitute for AWLB saccharification due to generation of less by-products that may be harmful to microorganisms. Presently, bioethanol production employs purified hydrolases to convert holocellulose into FS, a process that is not economically efficient. Consequently, the implementation of sustainable methods for saccharifying cellulosic biomass from agricultural residues can significantly contribute to the economic viability of bioethanol paving the way for a prosperous future in the food sector. The review mainly focusses gives a perspective on the technological advances including intensification in the cellulase saccharification for FS production which is immensely important since it serves as a valuable intermediary in the production of bioethanol constituting an integral part of the biorefinery value chain and food industry. The present paper mainly encompasses an insightful assessment of the various stages of AWLB conversion to FS (employing cellulase as biocatalyst) emphasizing on parametric effects on enzymatic kinetics , as well as recent developments in reactor configurations towards subsequent downstream synthesis of bioethanol, a prominent energy fuel. In summarizing pertinent information, we have aimed to provide valuable insights for producing bioethanol, a biobased product , using agricultural lignocellulosic waste.