Toward Sustainable Processes of Pretreatment Technologies of Lignocellulosic Biomass for Enzymatic Production of Biofuels and Chemicals: A Review

Lignocellulosic biomass is a class of sustainable material that can be utilized as a raw feedstock in biofuel and chemical production. However, the complex matrix structure of lignocellulosic materials complicates conversion processes, such as enzymatic hydrolysis. Therefore, an efficient pretreatment process is required to disrupt the plant cell wall structure and maximize the recovery of valuable soluble components from lignocellulosic biomass during hydrolysis. In addition, an effective pretreatment method should use the minimum necessary amounts of energy and chemicals to minimize the cost of the end product. Further, it should reduce the formation of inhibitory compounds that affect enzymes and microorganisms during hydrolysis and fermentation, and it should be applicable to a wide variety of feedstocks. The research presented in this review has highlighted the pros and cons of the current technologies employed in pretreatment processes. Further study should be done to optimize and improve these technologies to enhance the efficiency of the production of biofuels and other valuable components.