Skip to main content
ARS Home » Midwest Area » Peoria, Illinois » National Center for Agricultural Utilization Research » Renewable Product Technology Research » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #285334
Title: Improved lignocellulose conversion to biofuels with thermophilic bacteria and thermostable enzymes

Author
item BHALLA, ADITYA - South Dakota School Of Mines And Technology
item BANSAL, NAMITA - South Dakota School Of Mines And Technology
item KUMAR, SUDHIR - South Dakota School Of Mines And Technology
item Bischoff, Kenneth
item SANI, RAJESH - South Dakota School Of Mines And Technology

Submitted to: Bioresource Technology
Publication Type: Review Article
Publication Acceptance Date: 10/29/2012
Publication Date: 11/8/2012
Citation: Bhalla, A., Bansal, N., Kumar, S., Bischoff, K.M., Sani, R. 2013. Improved lignocellulose conversion to biofuels with thermophilic bacteria and thermostable enzymes. Bioresource Technology. 128:751-759.

Interpretive Summary:

Technical Abstract: Second generation feedstock, especially nonfood lignocellulosic biomass, has been seen as a potential source for biofuel production. Cost intensive pretreatment operations, including physical, chemical, biological, and slow enzymatic hydrolysis, make the overall process of lignocellulosic conversion less economical. Lignocellulose conversion technologies, which are carried out at <= 50 degrees C, have several limitations. Therefore, this review focuses on the importance of thermophiles and thermostable enzymes to overcome the limitations of existing lignocellulosic biomass conversion processes. Thermophiles and thermostable lignocellulose-deconstructing enzymes are discussed here as potential candidates for successful and efficient lignocellulose conversion. Influence of high temperatures on various existing lignocellulose conversion processes and those that are under development including simultaneous saccharification and fermentation, separate hydrolysis and fermentation and extremophilic consolidated bioprocess are also discussed. The motivation of using thermophiles and thermostable enzymes is to develop a more efficient and cost effective lignocellulose bioconversion process. The overall process cycle of thermostable enzymes and thermolabile enzymes is compared for industrial scale operations.