Recent developments in pretreatment technologies on lignocellulosic biomass: Effect of key parameters, technological improvements, and challenges

• Published in: Bioresource technology Vol. 300; p. 122724
• Main Authors: Bhatia, Shashi Kant, Jagtap, Sujit Sadashiv, Bedekar, Ashwini Ashok, Bhatia, Ravi Kant, Patel, Anil Kumar, Pant, Deepak, Rajesh Banu, J., Rao, Christopher V., Kim, Yun-Gon, Yang, Yung-Hun
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: England Elsevier Ltd 01.03.2020; Elsevier
• Subjects: 09 BIOMASS FUELS; Biofuels; Biomass; Biorefinery; biorefining; Biotechnology; Detoxification; genetic engineering; Inhibition; Lignin; Lignocellulose; microorganisms; Pretreatment; sugars; value-added products; Biorefinery; Biomass; Inhibition; Pretreatment; Lignocellulose; Detoxification
• ISSN: 0960-8524; 1873-2976; 1873-2976
• DOI: 10.1016/j.biortech.2019.122724

[Display omitted] •Lignocellulose is an abundantly available recalcitrant raw material.•Pretreatment is required to convert it into free sugars.•Pretreatment generates various byproducts having negative effects on microbes.•Hydrolysate requires detoxification before being subjected to fermentation. Lignocellulosic biomass is an inexpensive renewable source that can be used to produce biofuels and bioproducts. The recalcitrance nature of biomass hampers polysaccharide accessibility for enzymes and microbes. Several pretreatment methods have been developed for the conversion of lignocellulosic biomass into value-added products. However, these pretreatment methods also produce a wide range of secondary compounds, which are inhibitory to enzymes and microorganisms. The selection of an effective and efficient pretreatment method discussed in the review and its process optimization can significantly reduce the production of inhibitory compounds and may lead to enhanced production of fermentable sugars and biochemicals. Moreover, evolutionary and genetic engineering approaches are being used for the improvement of microbial tolerance towards inhibitors. Advancements in pretreatment and detoxification technologies may help to increase the productivity of lignocellulose-based biorefinery. In this review, we discuss the recent advancements in lignocellulosic biomass pretreatment technologies and strategies for the removal of inhibitors.