ABSTRACT

This chapter reviews the current status and potential of fermentative processing of biomass to feedstock chemicals. It discusses the nature, supply, and economics of biomass; the microbial transformation of biomass to desired chemicals by fermentation processes; and the recovery and purification of carbonaceous materials from the dilute aqueous solutions in which they are produced. Biomass consists of collectible plant-derived materials that are abundant, inexpensive, and potentially convertible to feedstock chemicals by fermentation processes. Biomass as starch or lignocellulose has great potential as a feedstock for oxychemicals that retain the oxygenated nature of the basic CH2O structure. Industrial grade acetic acid, a key feedstock, is manufactured solely by chemical processes, while food grade acetic acid is produced exclusively by oxidation of ethanol with Acetobacter aceti. Biotechnology will be a key factor in the development of economic processes for the use of lignocellulose and the conversion of the resulting sugars to chemical feedstocks.