ABSTRACT
Involved in Lignin Degradation ..................................................223 8.5 Cellulose Degradation ...............................................................................223 8.6 Hemicellulose Degradation ...................................................................... 224 References .............................................................................................................225
Increase in global energy demand across the world has put immense pressure on utilisation of alternative energy resources, such as wind, water, sun, geothermal heat and nuclear fission as well as lignocellulosic biomass. Lignocellulosic biomass is the most abundant (worldwide 1 × 1010 million tonnes annually) plant matter that can provide alternative transportation fuel, such as bioethanol or biodiesel (Sun and Cheng 2002; Hamelinck et al. 2005; Sanchez and Cardona 2008). The prime motive in using renewable energy fuels is to reduce environmental impacts that are associated with the use of the fossil fuels (Botha and Blottnitz 2006). The key concern for the production of biofuels, such as bioethanol, biobutanol, biodiesel and biogas has gained impetus importance due to their feed and food value. Therefore, it becomes imperative to scout for alternative sources of energy that can replace conventional fossil fuels (Wan and Li 2011). Over the years, many lignocellulosic materials have been used for bioethanol production: wheat straw (Kaparaju et al. 2009); rice straw (Kyong Ko et al. 2009); sugarcane bagasse (Rabelo et al. 2008); barley and timothy grass (Naik et al. 2010); woody raw materials (Zhu et al. 2010); forest wastes, such as sawdust, wood chips and slashes and dead trees branches (Perlack et al. 2005); softwoods originating from conifers and gymnosperm (Hoadley 2000); and paper pulps (Khanna et al. 2008).
