ABSTRACT
This chapter deals with the methods available to generate organic chemicals via fermentation from crop biomass, starch materials, agri-residues, and agro-industrial wastes. Alternative process routes for the production of organic chemicals involve fermentation primarily through bioconversion of carbohydrate raw materials to chemicals. Technological changes in large-volume cattle feeding have created a serious need for new waste technology, either through cost reductions in handling to eliminate pollution hazards or some type of bioconversion process to useful fuels or chemical feedstocks. Relative composition of biomass, residues, and waste materials will be identified only when necessary to define substrates for production of specific chemicals through fermentation. The biochemical processes produce primarily protein, sugar, and alcohol, whereas the anaerobic fermentation takes place under an oxygen-deficient environment to produce methane. The major components in agricultural residues are the structural cell-wall polysaccharides, primarily cellulose and hemicellulose. Promising technologies are needed for the utilization of agricultural and agro-industrial residues.
