ABSTRACT
Fossil fuel has been considered as one of the most important resources, which is directly or indirectly used to meet our fuel and fine chemical needs. But its use has also posed environmental challenges such as global warming. Furthermore, a rapid increase in human population and a rise in living standards have resulted in the fast depletion of world’s reserve resources. The conversion of cellulose and hemicellulose for the production of fuel ethanol has been studied extensively with a view to develop a technically and economically viable bioprocess. Ethanol’s high octane rating and high heat of vaporization values make it more fuel-efficient than gasoline. Genetic improvements of the organisms have been carried out to extend their range of substrate utilization or to improve their metabolic flux toward ethanol or other desirable products. Glucose and xylose are predominant sugars in most of the lignocellulosic materials.
