Lignocellulosic Biomass Pretreatment Methods and Application of Extracted Fractions

Abstract

Lignocellulosic biomass (LCB) is a promising renewable energy source. However, its efficient utilization, extraction of different fractions like cellulose, hemicellulose and lignin, and conversion to value-added products require pretreatment to break down its complex structure. This review explores various conventional and green pretreatment techniques for LCB fractionation into cellulose, hemicellulose and lignin. Besides, comparative analysis evaluates the merits/demerits of each method based on the treatment conditions and yield of the extracted fractions. It emphasizes on the importance of developing efficient, eco-friendly and cost-effective green pretreatment techniques to enhance the utilization of LCB for extracting its constituents and creating valuable products. Finally, the review explores the emerging role of machine learning-assisted pretreatment processes for optimizing process efficiency and product yield by appropriate model selection. It also discusses the application of these extracted fractions in various industries such as oil/water separation, effluent processing and electrochemistry especially in electrodes.