Bioethanol from Lignocellulosic Materials: Options, Challenges and Path Forward

Biofuels are the renewable fuels of biological origin and a good substitute to petroleum fuels for the transport sector. Among biofuels, bioethanol has been gaining worldwide acceptance as an alternative source to gasoline. The major raw material for production of ethanol has been the sugarcane molasses. Since molasses alone cannot meet the total requirement, production of ethanol from cellulosic and lignocellulosic biomass is being explored as a possible alternate source. Lignocellulosic material in the form of agricultural residue holds enormous potential as a source of ethanol because it is the most abundant renewable biomass available on the earth. This article provides a broad overview on lignocellulosic biomass availability and technologies available for its conversion into bioethanol. This would serve as the reference paper for the researchers, policy makers and industries involved in making bioethanol from renewable biomass a reality.