Document Type : Review Paper
Authors
1
Center for Environmental Research and Technology (CE-CERT), Bourns College of Engineering, University of California, Riverside, California, USA
2
Microbial Biotechnology Department, Agricultural Biotechnology Research Institute of Iran (ABRII), AREEO, Karaj, Iran
3
Biofuel Research Team (BRTeam), Karaj, Iran
4
Department of Chemical Engineering, Isfahan University of Technology, Isfahan 84156-83111, Iran
5
Microbial Industrial Biotechnology Group, Institute of Biotechnology and Bioengineering, Isfahan University of Technology, Isfahan 84156-83111, Iran
6
Swedish Centre for Resource Recovery, University of Borås, 501 90 Borås, Sweden
Abstract
Lignocellulosic (or cellulosic) biomass derived ethanol is the most promising near/long term fuel candidate. In addition, cellulosic biomass derived ethanol may serve a precursor to other fuels and chemicals that are currently derived from unsustainable sources and/or are proposed to be derived from cellulosic biomass. However, the processing cost for second generation ethanol is still high to make the process commercially profitable and replicable. In this review, recent trends in cellulosic biomass ethanol derived via biochemical route are reviewed with main focus on current research efforts that are being undertaken to realize high product yields/titers and bring the overall cost down.
Graphical Abstract

Highlights
- Cellulosic biomass is the only source for sustainable fuels.
- Ethanol is a promising fuel candidate for near/long term applications.
- Ethanol can also serve as a precursor for other fuels and chemicals.
- However, processing cost for 2G ethanol is still high.
- Thus, urgent research efforts are needed to bring the cost down.
Keywords