Chemical Composition of Biomass

Biomass is a renewable biological material made from recently alive or living organisms such as plants and animals. Biomass can be utilized to make biofuels such as biodiesel and ethanol and a source of energy. The composition and quality of biomass vary widely, especially in terms of moisture, structural components, and inorganic chemicals. Here, the present book chapter deals with the chemical and elemental composition of biomass. Because biomass is obtained from a wide range of resources, its chemical composition varies greatly. Biomass contains cellulose, hemicellulose, lignin, starch, minor organic components, and biomass ash.