Sweet sorghum and bagasse: a comprehensive review of feedstock traits, conversion processes, and economic viability for bioethanol and biogas production
Ali Mubarak Al-Qahtani
Abstract
This review aims to provide an extensive examination of the significance of sweet sorghum and bagasse in the context of bioethanol and biogas production. The review analyzes the available literature on sweet sorghum and bagasse as potential feedstocks for bioenergy production. It examines their physical and chemical properties, cultivation requirements, various pretreatment methods, fermentation processes, efficiency, and environmental implications. It also assesses the economic viability of and potential barriers to commercialization. Moreover, the importance of technological advancements in biomass conversion efficiency, fermentation processes, and enzymatic hydrolysis has been reviewed. The substrates’ rich cellulose and hemicellulose content enhances the efficiency of conversion processes. Remarkable advancements have been observed in fermentation techniques, with genetic engineering strategies offering potential avenues for performance enhancement. The assessment of environmental implications underscores the importance of optimizing conversion yields and energy balance to establish a sustainable bioenergy production framework. Techno-economic analyses affirm the economic feasibility of deriving bioethanol and biogas from sweet sorghum and bagasse. This thorough analysis emphasizes the substantial potential of sweet sorghum and bagasse as valuable feedstocks for bioethanol and biogas production.