Utilization of Plant-derived Wastes For Value Added Product Formation

Depletion of fossil fuels and environmental concern has impelled to search for alternative biofuels and biobased chemicals. Biofuels have been considered an alternative clean energy carrier due to their environmentally friendly nature. Recently, research has been focused on finding a readily available, low-cost and renewable lignocellulosic biomass to produce value-added products. In this context, the plant-derived organic wastes can be transformed to produce biofuels (bioethanol, biobutanol, biogas and biohydrogen) and biochemicals (lactic acid, succinic acid, xylose and xylitol). It will be a sustainable effort to reduce the huge amount of plant waste generated. In addition, in the recent decades, several efficient conversion methods have been invented. During the past few years, a large number of chemical pretreatment methods have also been developed for efficient lignocellulosic conversion. The current chapter discusses the advanced methods for biofuels and biochemicals’ production, focusing primarily on different pretreatment methods for effective conversion of plant derived wastes.

Keywords: Anaerobic digestion, Biomass, Biofuels, Bioethanol, Biobutanol, Biogas, Biochemicals, Biohydrogen, Detoxification, Fermentation, Inhibitors, Lignocelluloses, Ligninolytic enzymes, Lactic acid, Plant derived wastes, Pretreatment, Succinic acid, Value added products, Xylitol, Xylose.