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Biochemical Processes of Lignocellulosic Biomass Conversion

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  • Stanisław Ledakowicz

    (Department of Bioprocess Engineering, Faculty of Process and Environmental Engineering, Lodz University of Technology, Wolczanska 213, 90-924 Lodz, Poland)

Abstract

After a brief characterisation of lignocellulosic biomass (LCB) in terms of its biochemical structure and the pretreatment techniques used to disrupt lignin structure and decrystallise and depolymerise cellulose, this review considers five main pathways for biochemical biomass conversion: starting with anaerobic digestion to convert various LCB feedstocks into bioproducts; considering the integration of biochemical and thermochemical processes, syngas fermentation, which has been recently developed for biofuel and chemical production, is reviewed; the production of 2G bioethanol and biobutanol from LCB waste is discussed; the literature on biohydrogen production by dark fermentation, photofermentation, and bioelectrochemical processes using microbial electrolysis cells as well as hybrid biological processes is reviewed. The conclusions and future prospects of integrating biochemical and thermochemical conversion processes of biomass are discussed and emphasised.

Suggested Citation

  • Stanisław Ledakowicz, 2025. "Biochemical Processes of Lignocellulosic Biomass Conversion," Energies, MDPI, vol. 18(13), pages 1-25, June.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jeners:v:18:y:2025:i:13:p:3353-:d:1687967
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Radoslaw Slezak & Hilal Unyay & Szymon Szufa & Stanislaw Ledakowicz, 2023. "An Extensive Review and Comparison of Modern Biomass Reactors Torrefaction vs. Biomass Pyrolizers—Part 2," Energies, MDPI, vol. 16(5), pages 1-25, February.
    2. Piotr Piersa & Hilal Unyay & Szymon Szufa & Wiktoria Lewandowska & Remigiusz Modrzewski & Radosław Ślężak & Stanisław Ledakowicz, 2022. "An Extensive Review and Comparison of Modern Biomass Torrefaction Reactors vs. Biomass Pyrolysis—Part 1," Energies, MDPI, vol. 15(6), pages 1-34, March.
    3. Rousseau, Raphaël & Etcheverry, Luc & Roubaud, Emma & Basséguy, Régine & Délia, Marie-Line & Bergel, Alain, 2020. "Microbial electrolysis cell (MEC): Strengths, weaknesses and research needs from electrochemical engineering standpoint," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 257(C).
    4. Dar, R.A. & Parmar, M. & Dar, E.A. & Sani, R.K. & Phutela, U.G., 2021. "Biomethanation of agricultural residues: Potential, limitations and possible solutions," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 135(C).
    5. Mamata Singhvi & Beom Soo Kim, 2020. "Current Developments in Lignocellulosic Biomass Conversion into Biofuels Using Nanobiotechology Approach," Energies, MDPI, vol. 13(20), pages 1-20, October.
    6. Jinmeng Chen & Xiaotian Ma & Mengying Liang & Zhiwei Guo & Yafan Cai & Chenjie Zhu & Zhi Wang & Shilei Wang & Jingliang Xu & Hanjie Ying, 2024. "Physical–Chemical–Biological Pretreatment for Biomass Degradation and Industrial Applications: A Review," Waste, MDPI, vol. 2(4), pages 1-23, November.
    7. Tsai, Tsung-Yu & Lo, Yung-Chung & Dong, Cheng-Di & Nagarajan, Dillirani & Chang, Jo-Shu & Lee, Duu-Jong, 2020. "Biobutanol production from lignocellulosic biomass using immobilized Clostridium acetobutylicum," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 277(C).
    8. Dolores Hidalgo & Ana Urueña & Jesús M. Martín-Marroquín & David Díez, 2025. "Integrated Approach for Biomass Conversion Using Thermochemical Routes with Anaerobic Digestion and Syngas Fermentation," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 17(8), pages 1-22, April.
    9. Adrian Woźniak & Ksawery Kuligowski & Lesław Świerczek & Adam Cenian, 2025. "Review of Lignocellulosic Biomass Pretreatment Using Physical, Thermal and Chemical Methods for Higher Yields in Bioethanol Production," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 17(1), pages 1-33, January.
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