Challenges and perspectives of green-like lignocellulose pretreatments selectable for low-cost biofuels and high-value bioproduction

Lignocellulose represents the most abundant carbon-capturing substance that is convertible for biofuels and bioproduction. Although biomass pretreatments have been broadly applied to reduce lignocellulose recalcitrance for enhanced enzymatic saccharification, they mostly require strong conditions with potential secondary waste release. By classifying all major types of pretreatments that have been recently conducted with different sources of lignocellulose substrates, this study sorted out their distinct roles for wall polymer extraction and destruction, leading to the optimal pretreatments evaluated for cost-effective biomass enzymatic saccharification to maximize biofuel production. Notably, all undigestible lignocellulose residues are also aimed for effective conversion into value-added bioproduction. Meanwhile, desired pretreatments were proposed for the generation of highly -valuable nanomaterials such as cellulose nanocrystals, lignin nanoparticles, functional wood, carbon dots, porous and graphitic nanocarbons. Therefore, this article has proposed a novel strategy that integrates cost-effective and green-like pretreatments with desirable lignocellulose substrates for a full lignocellulose utiliza-tion with zero-biomass-waste liberation.

Automated summary

This study classified and evaluated all major types of biomass pretreatments recently conducted, exploring their different roles in wall polymer extraction and destruction for cost-effective biomass enzymatic saccharification and maximum biofuel production. Moreover, it proposed the conversion of undigestible lignocellulose residues into valuable bioproducts, such as nanomaterials, through desired pretreatments. As a result, this article presents a novel strategy for efficient lignocellulose utilization and zero-biomass-waste liberation, integrating cost-effective and green-like pretreatments with desirable lignocellulose substrates.