Journal of Energy Bioscience 2024, Vol.15, No.1, 32-47 http://bioscipublisher.com/index.php/jeb 41 cultivation (Follador et al., 2021). Integrating sugarcane cultivation with livestock production has improved land productivity by using sugarcane by-products as feed, avoiding the need for new deforestation (Souza et al., 2019). Additionally, Brazil has introduced a new variety of sugarcane called "energy cane," which can triple biomass yield per unit area and significantly reduce production costs. This technological innovation has driven further growth in ethanol production (Grassi and Pereira, 2019). Furthermore, the Brazilian government has promoted the biofuel industry through the "RenovaBio" policy, which establishes a decarbonization credit mechanism linked to the carbon intensity of biofuels. This policy helps increase ethanol production and ensures its market demand (Klein et al., 2019). The success of Brazilian sugarcane ethanol can be attributed to pioneering biofuel policies and significant scientific and technological advancements. These policies and technological improvements have not only enhanced the environmental benefits of ethanol production but also fostered socio-economic development by creating jobs and promoting economic growth in rural areas (Karp et al., 2021). Figure 2 Steps for 1G and 2G bioethanol production and possible by-products (Adopted from Karp et al., 2021) Image caption: The figure shows the production process of first-generation (1G) and second-generation (2G) bioethanol and their by-products. It details the steps for extracting bioethanol from sugarcane and sugarcane bagasse, including pretreatment, fermentation, and distillation. The figure reveals that 1G ethanol production mainly uses sugarcane juice, while 2G ethanol production utilizes sugarcane bagasse, further emphasizing the comprehensive use of energy in the production process. Additionally, the figure highlights high-value products that can be extracted from by-products, such as lignin and xylitol, indicating that optimizing the use of by-products can significantly enhance economic benefits (Adapted from Karp et al., 2021) Another example is corn. The United States is a major producer of bioethanol, primarily derived from corn. This biofuel holds significant importance for energy policy, rural development, and environmental sustainability. Corn-based bioethanol is considered a first-generation biofuel, utilizing hexose sugars for fermentation. The production process includes grinding, cooking, and liquefaction, followed by fermentation using yeast strains such as Saccharomyces cerevisiae. This method has been industrialized in both developed and developing countries to meet the growing demand for bioethanol. Corn-based bioethanol not only contributes to energy security but also has positive impacts on rural economies and the environment (Mohanty and Swain, 2019). 7.2 Challenges faced in specific regions or countries Despite some successes, many regions and countries still face significant challenges in balancing food and fuel production. For example, in Sub-Saharan Africa, the promotion of biofuel production has sometimes led to land use conflicts and food security issues (Chanceline, 2019). Large-scale biofuel projects have been criticized for displacing small farmers and reducing the land available for food crops. These projects often prioritize biofuel production for export over local food needs, further exacerbating food insecurity (Chanceline, 2019; Ahmed, 2021). Moreover, research has found that local communities face numerous problems when biofuel plantations are
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