Critical and Adequate pretreatment for Biomass Sugar Release – Selective Lignin Unlocking Process Inspired from Wood-Feeding Termite

摘要

Currently, the limiting factor for lignocellulosic biofuels is the lack of efficient pretreatment technology within an industrially acceptable economics. The heterogeneous and irregular arrangement of lignin construction results in resistance to saccharification, thus severely limiting biochemical conversion of lignocellulosic biomass to fermentable sugars. Lignin framework also inhibits cellulase function by competitive adsorption, chemical inhibition, and steric hindrance. Since lignocellulosic cellulose can only be digested after the lignocellulose is exposed out of lignin framework. It is therefore important to understand to which extent of lignin content and composition can be modified in useful ways without deleterious consequences to plant growth and development. Existing biomass conversion schemes typically rely on a combination of thermochemical treatments that are not sustainable and environmentally friendly as the processes still consume a great deal of energy and require input of chemicals because of the needs for high temperature and pressure. Nature, on the other hand, has developed through evolution efficient biological systems for extracting energy from plant materials to power the lives by effectively