Advanced Biomass Pretreatment and Bioconversion in Biofuels and Bioproducts Production

Dear Colleagues,

Plant biomass is a renewable, low-cost, and widely available source of carbon that can be utilized in the production of biofuels. However, the complex structure of lignocellulose limits its application in biosynthesis processes due to the difficulty of its decomposition into simple sugars. A key step that enhances the accessibility of structural polysaccharides to enzymatic hydrolysis is pretreatment, which reduces the degree of cellulose crystallinity and promotes the depolymerization of lignin and hemicellulose. Lignocellulosic hydrolysates serve as substrates in bioconversion processes employing various groups of microorganisms.

This Topic is dedicated to the latest advances in the characterization of biomass pretreatment processes, with particular emphasis on the use of solvents aligned with the principles of green chemistry, including deep eutectic solvents, hydrotropes, and ionic liquids. The Topic will also cover studies on biomass deconstruction using next-generation biocatalysts. Research results on efficient biofuel production, lignin valorization, and improvements in process economics are also within the scope of this Topic.

Prof. Dr. Dawid Mikulski
Prof. Dr. Santhosh Pillai
Dr. Cristiano E.R. Reis
Topic Editors