Journal of Energy Bioscience 2024, Vol.15, No.5, 277-288 http://bioscipublisher.com/index.php/jeb 277 Systematic Review Open Access Second-Generation Biofuels: Utilization of Agricultural Waste and Non-food Parts Kaiwen Liang Agri-Products Application Center, Hainan Institute of Tropical Agricultural Resouces, Sanya, 572025, Hainan, China Corresponding email: kaiwen.liang@hitar.org Journal of Energy Bioscience, 2024, Vol.15, No.5 doi: 10.5376/jeb.2024.15.0026 Received: 17 Jul., 2024 Accepted: 22 Aug., 2024 Published: 04 Sep., 2024 Copyright © 2024 Liang, This is an open access article published under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited. Preferred citation for this article: Liang K.W., 2024, Second-generation biofuels: utilization of agricultural waste and non-food parts, Journal of Energy Bioscience, 15(5): 277-288 (doi: 10.5376/jeb.2024.15.0026) Abstract This study focuses on exploring the potential of second-generation biofuels extracted from agricultural waste and non food fractions, and evaluating the sustainability, efficiency, and environmental impact of these raw materials in biofuel production. The study reveals that second-generation biofuels, which are produced from non-food cellulosic biomass and agricultural residues, offer a promising alternative to first-generation biofuels. These biofuels significantly reduce greenhouse gas emissions compared to fossil fuels and first-generation biofuels. Additionally, the use of agricultural waste and non-food parts helps in waste management and reduces the competition for food resources. However, challenges such as high production costs and the need for advanced processing technologies remain. The findings suggest that second-generation biofuels have the potential to contribute significantly to sustainable energy solutions. By utilizing agricultural waste and non-food parts, these biofuels can help mitigate environmental impacts and promote energy security. Future research should focus on improving production efficiency and reducing costs to make second-generation biofuels more viable on a commercial scale. Keywords Second-generation biofuels; Agricultural waste; Non-food biomass; Sustainability; Greenhouse gas emissions 1 Introduction Second-generation biofuels are derived from non-food biomass, particularly lignocellulosic materials such as agricultural residues, forestry waste, and other non-edible plant parts. Unlike first-generation biofuels, which are produced from food crops like corn and sugarcane, second-generation biofuels utilize waste materials and non-food biomass, making them a more sustainable and environmentally friendly option. These biofuels are produced through various biochemical and thermochemical processes, including pretreatment, enzymatic hydrolysis, fermentation, and gasification (Saini et al., 2014; Srivastava et al., 2017; Kumari and Singh, 2018). The utilization of agricultural waste and non-food biomass for biofuel production addresses several critical issues. Firstly, it helps in managing agricultural waste, which otherwise poses disposal challenges and environmental hazards. Secondly, it reduces the competition between food and fuel, thereby mitigating the food vs. fuel debate associated with first-generation biofuels (Paudel et al., 2017; Groves et al., 2018). Additionally, using lignocellulosic biomass for biofuel production can significantly lower greenhouse gas emissions and contribute to energy security by providing a renewable and sustainable energy source (Bhatia et al., 2017; Rai et al., 2022). The primary distinction between first- and second-generation biofuels lies in the feedstock used. First-generation biofuels are produced from food crops, which can lead to food scarcity and increased food prices. In contrast, second-generation biofuels are derived from lignocellulosic biomass, which includes non-food parts of plants and agricultural residues. This shift not only alleviates the food vs. fuel conflict but also promotes the use of waste materials, enhancing sustainability (Sims et al., 2010; Bhalla et al., 2013). Moreover, second-generation biofuels often require more complex and advanced technologies for conversion, such as pretreatment and enzymatic hydrolysis, which are not necessary for first-generation biofuels (Kucharska et al., 2018). This study aims to explore the potential of second-generation biofuels by focusing on the utilization of agricultural waste and non-food biomass. It will review the current technologies and methods used for converting
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