Key Problems of Straw Fuel Ethanol

Abstract

Straw is an agricultural residue that is plenty in quantity and can be a raw material for bioethanol production. Bioconversion of straw to fuel ethanol is becoming a viable avenue to alleviate the energy crisis around the world without jeopardizing food sources for the human race. This work introduces related research and reviews on bioethanol production using straws. The crucial problems of bioconversion were analyzed, which include the pretreatment method of straw material, enzymatic hydrolysis of straw by cellulose, screening, construction of strain, and choosing the fermentation process. To optimize the entire process and enhance productivity, it is important to treat the above mentioned issues as interrelated. Based on the understanding, the suggestion is that, while the cellulosic ethanol technology is in the development phase, converting fermentable sugar in straw directly to fuel ethanol can be considered a feasible way.