Application of Hemicellulose in Biohydrogen Production

This chapter discusses the sources, the structure and the characteristics of hemicellulose, methods of biohydrogen production, pretreatment methods of lignocellulose material and the steps involved in the bioconversion of hemicellulose to hydrogen gas. The depletion in fossil fuel reserves, coupled with high dependency on its usage, tends to create a crisis in energy around the globe. Moreover, the rise in fuel price, along with the increasing demand resulting from high population density, has led to more research for alternative sources of energy. The environmental pollution (such as the emission of greenhouse gases and ozone layer depletion) resulting from utilizing fossil fuel and its related products is another source of concern to the research community as it constitutes harm to mankind. Hydrogen gas has a lot in stock for the global energy demand, because of its high energy content. It is renewable and eco-friendly. Hydrogen gas can be produced from biological materials like hemicellulose.