Lignocellulosic Biomass Based Biorefinery Employing Fungus and its Enzymes: Indian Perspective and Global Trend

Declining fossil resources, energy crisis, and environmental pollution are driving the shift from linear petroleum to circular bioeconomy. Lignocellulosic biomass, a globally available organic agricultural by-product is crucial for sustainable waste biomass management in a circular bioeconomy, second-generation biorefineries, and white biotechnology. However, the complex structures of lignocellulosic biopolymers hinder economic viability. Various physicochemical processes have been developed to fractionate and convert these substrates into valuable products. Lignocellulolytic fungi and their enzymes show potential for efficient and eco-friendly utilization of lignocellulosic biomass. Despite five decades of research focusing on lignocellulose bioprocessing, more emphasis is needed on adopting a biorefinery approach to make bioconversion processes economically viable. Exploring fungi from plant waste biomass-rich ecosystems or degraded plant materials can lead to more efficient plant cell wall degrading fungi and enzymes. This chapter highlights the contributions of fungi and their lignocellulolytic enzymes in developing plant biomass-based biorefineries globally, including India.