Biofuel production from Jerusalem artichoke tuber inulins: a review

Authors

1 Department of Chemical & Biomolecular Engineering, University of Tennessee, Knoxville, TN, USA 37996.

2 Georgia Institute of Technology, Renewable Bioproducts Institute and the School of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Atlanta, USA 30332.

3 Joint Institute of Biological Sciences, Biosciences Division, Oak Ridge National Laboratory, Oak Ridge, TN, USA 37831.

4 Biosciences Division, Oak Ridge National Laboratory, Oak Ridge, TN, USA 37830.

5 US Salinity Laboratory, 450 W, Big Springs Rd., Riverside, CA, USA 92507.

6 Center for Renewable Carbon, Department of Forestry, Wildlife, and Fisheries, University of Tennessee Institute of Agriculture, Knoxville, TN, USA 37996.

Abstract

Jerusalem artichoke (JA) has a high productivity of tubers that are rich in inulins, a fructan polymer. These inulins can be easily broken down into fructose and glucose for conversion into ethanol by fermentation. This review discusses tuber and inulin yields, effect of cultivar and environment on tuber productivity, and approaches to fermentation for ethanol production. Consolidated bioprocessing with Kluyveromyces marxianus has been the most popular approach for fermentation into ethanol. Apart from ethanol, fructose can be dehydrated into into 5-hydrolxymethylfurfural followed by catalytic conversion into hydrocarbons. Findings from several studies indicate that this plant from tubers alone can produce ethanol at yields that rival corn and sugarcane ethanol. JA has tremendous potential for use as a bioenergy feedstock.

Graphical Abstract

Biofuel production from Jerusalem artichoke tuber inulins: a review

Highlights

  • Jerusalem artichoke has high productivity of tubers that are rich in inulin.
  • Inulins can be fermented into ethanol by SHF, SSF, and CBP approaches.
  • Ethanol yields from Jerusalem artichoke can rival those from corn and sugarcane.

Keywords