S124: Improved lignocellulose conversion to biofuels with thermophilic bacteria

Nonfood lignocellulosic biomass has been recognized as a potential source for biofuel production.  However, cost intensive pretreatment operations, including physical, chemical, or biological and slow enzymatic hydrolysis, make the overall process of lignocellulosic conversion less economical.  Existing enzymatic hydrolysis technologies of the lignocellulosic feedstock are not particularly effective.  This talk review focuses on the ways to overcome limitations of existing lignocellulose bioconversion into biofuels processes using thermophilic microorganisms and their thermostable enzymes.  Thermophiles and their thermostable enzymes, such as cellulases and xylanases, will be discussed here as potential candidates for successful and efficient lignocellulose conversion.  Influence of high temperature on various existing lignocellulose conversion processes and those are under development including simultaneous saccharification and fermentation, separate hydrolysis and fermentation, and extremophilic consolidated bioprocess will also be discussed.