Technoeconomic and environmental perspectives of biofuel production from sugarcane bagasse: Current status, challenges and future outlook

Sugarcane bagasse (SCB) is an attractive lignocellulose feedstock for biofuel production due to its high organic content and biomass yield, and ease of collection and storage. SCB-based biofuel production through the biochemical route is considered to be an eco-friendly option. However, the sustainability of this green technology is still questionable for some technoeconomic challenges associated with the pretreatment, detoxification, microbial tolerance to inhibitors, and conversion of SCB hydrolysates into biofuels. Researchers have attempted to overcome these issues, particularly by developing cost-effective pretreatment methods and engineered strains capable of tolerating inhibitors and converting SCB-derived components more efficiently. This review aims to present the current status and challenges in the conversion of SCB into biofuels like biohydrogen, biomethane, biomethanol, bioethanol, and biobutanol. The major economic and environmental perspectives are also discussed to assess the economics and eco-friendliness of SCB as the feedstocks for biofuel production. In addition, this paper also highlights existing knowledge gaps that might inspire the readers to fine-tune their research, innovations, and business plan for the development of cost-effective technologies for SCB-based biofuel production.

Automated summary

This paper reviews the current status and challenges of converting SCB into biofuels such as biohydrogen, biomethane, biomethanol, bioethanol, and biobutanol. It discusses the economic and environmental perspectives to evaluate the feasibility of using SCB as feedstock for biofuel production. Additionally, it highlights existing knowledge gaps that may inspire readers to refine their research, innovations, and business plans for cost-effective technologies in SCB-based biofuel production.