Lignocellulosic biomass utilization toward biorefinery using meshophilic Clostridial species

Lignocellulosic biomass such as agricultural, industrial, and forestry residues as well as<br/>dedicated crops constitute renewable and abundant resources with great potential for a lowcost<br/>and uniquely sustainable bioconversion to value-added bioproducts. Thus, many<br/>organic fuels and chemicals that can be obtained from lignocellulosic biomass can reduce<br/>greenhouse gas emissions, enhance energy security, improve the economy, dispose of<br/>problematic solid wastes, and improve air quality. In particular, liquid biofuels are attractive<br/>candidates, since little or no change is needed to the current petroleum-based fuel<br/>technologies. However, the biorefining process remains economically unfeasible due to a<br/>lack of biocatalysts that can overcome costly hurdles such as cooling from high temperature,<br/>pumping of oxygen/stirring, and, neutralization from acidic or basic pH. Therefore,<br/>bioconversion of the lignocellulosic components into fermentable sugars is an essential step<br/>in the biorefinery