Bioprocessing Technologies in Biorefinery for Sustainable Production of Fuels, Chemicals, and Polymers

<p><b>Sets the stage for large-scale production of biofuels and bio-based chemicals</b></p> <p>In response to diminishing supplies as well as the environmental hazards posed by fossil fuels and petrochemicals, interest and demand for green, sustainable biofuels and bio-based chemicals are soaring. Biomass may be the solution. It is an abundant carbon-neutral renewable feedstock that can be used for the production of fuels and chemicals. Currently, biorefineries use corn, soybeans, and sugarcane for bioethanol and biodiesel production; however, there are many challenges facing biorefineries, preventing biomass from reaching its full potential.</p> <p>This book provides a comprehensive review of bioprocessing technologies that use lignocellulosic biomass for the production of biofuels, biochemicals, and biopolymers. It begins with an overview of integrated biorefineries. Next, it covers:</p> <ul> <li>Biomass feedstocks, including sugar, starch, oil, and energy crops as well as microalgae</li> <li>Pretreatment technologies for lignocellulosic biomass</li> <li>Hydrolytic enzymes used in biorefineries for the hydrolysis of starch and lignocelluloses</li> <li>Bioconversion technologies for current and future biofuels such as ethanol, biodiesel, butanol, hydrogen, and biogas</li> <li>Specialty chemicals, building block chemicals, and biopolymers produced via fermentation</li> <li>Phytochemicals and functional food ingredients extracted from plant materials</li> </ul> <p>All the chapters have been written and edited by leading experts in bioprocessing and biorefining technologies. Contributions are based on a thorough review of the literature as well as the authors’ firsthand experience developing and working with bioprocessing technologies.</p> <p>By setting forth the current state of the technology and pointing to promising new directions in research, <i>Bioprocessing Technologies in Biorefinery for Sustainable Production of Fuels, Chemicals, and Polymers</i> will enable readers to move towards large-scale, sustainable, and economical production of biofuels and bio-based chemicals.</p>