Value added products from lignocellulosic agricultural residues: An overview

Cellulose is the most abundant biopolymer found on earth present in the form of agricultural, agro-industrial and food waste residues which also have hemicellulose and lignin associated with them. This is also known as lignocellulosic biomass and its disposal is a major global concern as most of it is presently subjected to burning or buried in soil thus leading to environmental pollution and global warming. Some residues are traditionally used as animal fodder, substrate for mushroom cultivation, pulp and paper making, composting, amalgamation and mulching in soil, fuel for domestic and industrial applications etc. It has the potential to act as a renewable and near zero cost substrate for the economical production of high value compounds. They can act as sustainable alternative sources of bioenergy to replace fossil fuels and the production of value added products including industrial enzymes, organic acids, microbial polysaccharides, biofertilizers and fine chemicals is likely to promote bioeconomy by valourisation of lignocellulosic biomass. This piece of work discusses the traditional ways of management that are employed for making use of the agricultural residues. The potential of lignocellulosic resources for bioconversion into high value compounds emphasizing on its economic importance for production of fuels and chemicals by simultaneously minimizing the contribution to environmental pollution because of burning and land filling has also been reviewed.