Soybean carbohydrate as fermentation feedstock for production of biofuels and value-added chemicals

Being one of the major oilseed crops throughout America and Asia, soybean production has increased rapidly due to the rising demand for oil and protein. Carbohydrates are also major components in soybean. During the soybean processing for producing oil and protein products, large amounts of carbohydrate-rich byproducts or waste are generated. Soy protein products such as soybean meal, soy protein concentrate and soybean milk also contain carbohydrates that have anti-nutritional concerns and decrease the value of these products. Removing these carbohydrates from soy protein products and finding valuable uses for these carbohydrates and other carbohydrate-rich waste/byproducts are highly desirable. Here, the various carbohydrate-rich waste byproducts generated from soybean processing and their compositions are described. Recent developments on their use as fermentation feedstocks for production of biofuels, enzymes and a variety of specialty chemicals are then reviewed and summarized. This review can facilitate knowledge and technology integration for development of a soy-based biorefinery platform. (C) 2016 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.