Bioethanol Production Using Novel Starch Sources

Bioethanol production is a promising solution to the challenge of carbon emissions from global fuel consumption. However, to fully realize its potential, several bottlenecks must be overcome, including low product yield, food versus fuel factor, and feedstock logistics. One way to address these issues is to utilize highly dense and bioenergy-rich biomass for the fermentation process. Recent research has focused on novel starch sources, such as starch-based lignocelluloses, which have accessible starch in addition to their highly structured polysaccharides (hemicellulose, cellulose, and lignin). These have the potential to significantly increase the yield and efficiency of bioethanol production. Thus, this chapter highlights the properties of starch with their presence and usefulness as bioenergy together with the process of conversion of their well-known feedstocks to bioethanol. Additionally, the utilization of novel starch sources in the form of starch-based crops, agricultural wastes, and aquatic plants was elucidated. Lastly, innovative strategies towards improving the process of bioethanol generation from novel starch sources were discussed.