Royal Society of Chemistry Biological Conversion of Biomass for Fuels and Chemicals: Explorations from Natural Utilization Systems: Volume 10 (Energy and Environment Series)

This book is divided into two parts. The first covers biomass modification to facilitate the industrial degradation processing and other characteristics of feedstocks. These include reduction in the general recalcitrance of plant cell wall and downstream processing costs. The second focuses on cutting edge technologies for the conversion of lignocelluloses into biofuels and other products. It describes the most up-to-date advances in natural biomass utilization systems, such as wood-feeding termites and animals that efficiently degrade lignocellulosic substrates. Consolidated bioprocessing (CBP) integrates cellulase production and cellulose hydrolysis, with pentose and hexose fermentation in a single step. This replicates what happens in the digestive systems of animals, such as termites and cows, that effectively degrade lignocellulosic substrates. CBP has the potential to reduce production costs and lower capital investment whilst increasing conversion efficiency. Currently, there are no CBP-enabling micro-organisms suitable for industrial applications. Consequently, this book presents technologies which integrate the lignocellulolytic systems of insects and other animals to advance CBP strategy for cellulosic biofuels. It covers the progress made, and challenges faced, with the utilisation of gene, catalyst, and other unique mechanisms from cellulose-eating animals, as well as cutting-edge technologies developed to reduce the general recalcitrance of feedstocks for processing. This volume makes essential reading for academics and industrial groups concerned with overcoming the challenges inherent in the biological conversion of biomass into fuels and chemicals. From the Inside Flap Biological Conversion of Biomass for Fuels and Chemicals reviews current advances in understanding the mechanisms of plant biomass degradation systems in nature, and cutting edge technologies for bioprocessing lignocellulosic materials into biofuels and bio-based chemicals. This book is intended to provide researchers and students with a comprehensive introduction to this emerging and a multi-disciplinary field, while also functioning as an important reference for those already active in the areas of biofuels and bio-chemical-related industries. The 20 chapters in the book are divided into two parts. In the first part, recent understanding of plant cell wall structures and strategies of modifying plant cell walls aimed to improve conversion efficiency are highlighted. In the second part, the authors provide exploratory research in various natural biomass-degrading systems, and provide rationale for cost-competitive biofuels production using biological pathways. This book will also address detailed understanding of natural biomass utilization systems and the application of this knowledge to overcome current bottlenecks in industrial biocatalyst processing to generate a product. Mimicking nature for novel bioreactor designs will also be presented. As a result, this book will meet the needs of academic communities and a variety of industrial groups focused on rapid acceleration of progress in lignocellulosic biofuels and bio-chemicals industries. With some of the most intractable issues facing the world regarding efficient and economic conversion of lignocellulosic biomass, this book may come at a critical and timely moment. From the Back Cover Biological Conversion of Biomass for Fuels and Chemicals reviews current advances in understanding the mechanisms of plant biomass degradation systems in nature, and cutting edge technologies for bioprocessing lignocellulosic materials into biofuels and bio-based chemicals. This book is intended to provide researchers and students with a comprehensive introduction to this emerging and a multi-disciplinary field, while also functioning as an important reference for those already active in the areas of biofuels and bio-chemical-related industries. The 20 chapters in the book are di