Bioconversion of Waste to Bioethanol Production

Bioethanol has been earmarked as a sustainable energy source. Numerous biomass resources have recently been investigated for bioethanol production, viz., sugar, starch, and lignocellulosic biomass. However, the overall conversion of biomass to ethanol varies with the type of biomass used, the nature of the feedstock, and the biochemical composition. Among the various steps involved in bioethanol production, the standard step is the fermentation of sugars by microorganisms like Saccharomyces cerevisiae, Zymomonas mobilis, etc. Bioethanol production from lignocellulosic biomass involves pretreatment and enzymatic hydrolysis before fermentation due to the complex structure of the lignin. This chapter deals with an overview of bioethanol production with specific attention to various microorganisms involved, factors influencing bioethanol production, and alternative feedstocks.