Biofuels from Inulin-rich Feedstocks: A Comprehensive Review

Bioresour Technol. 2021 Dec 30:126606. doi: 10.1016/j.biortech.2021.126606. Online ahead of print.ABSTRACTBiofuels are considered as a pre-eminent alternate to fossil fuels to meet the demand of future energy supply in a sustainable manner. Conventionally, they are produced from lignocellulosic raw materials. Saccharification of lignocellulosic raw materials for bioethanol production is a cumbersome process as compared to inulin-rich feedstocks. Various inulin-rich feedstocks, viz. jerusalem artichoke, chicory, dahlia, asparagus sp., etc. has also been exploited for the production of biofuels, viz. bioethanol, acetone, butanol, etc. The ubiquitous availability of inulin-rich feedstocks and presence of large amount of inulin makes them a robust substrate for biofuels production. Different strategies, viz. separate hydrolysis and fermentation, simultaneous saccharification and fermentation and consolidated bioprocessing have been explored for the conversion of inulin-rich feedstocks into biofuels. These bioprocess strategies are simple and efficient. The present review elaborates the prospective of inulin-rich feedstocks for biofuels production. Bioprocess strategies exploited for the conversion of inulin-rich materials have also been highlighted.PMID:34974098 | DOI:10.1016/j.biortech.2021.126606
Source: Bioresource Technology - Category: Biotechnology Authors: Source Type: research