ABSTRACT
This chapter aims to focus on the application of nanotechnology to biofuels production, especially highlight the immobilization of ligninolytic and cellulolytic enzymes followed by a discussion about safety issues concerning this technology. Cellulose is difficult to degrade due to its complex and highly crystalline structure. During pretreatment, the biomass matrix is opened, improving the enzyme accessibility to cellulose. The enzyme-based ethanol production has an advantage over chemical procedure because of its higher conversion efficiency, the absence of substrate loss due to chemical modifications and the use of more moderate and non-corrosive physical-chemical operating conditions. The entrapment process can protect enzyme activity because of the indirect contact with the confined environment, which minimizes the effects of gas bubbles, mechanical sheer and hydrophobic solvents. Due to unique size and physicochemical properties, nanoparticles have advantageous applications in bioethanol production. Studies that were carried out by using magnetic nanoparticles were reported for the immobilization of enzymes involved in bioethanol production.
