Journal of Energy Bioscience 2024, Vol.15, No.5, 326-336 http://bioscipublisher.com/index.php/jeb 326 Review and Progress Open Access The Role of Switchgrass in Cellulosic Ethanol Production and Technical Evaluation Jiayao Zhou, Shudan Yan Institute of Life Science, Jiyang College of Zhejiang A&F University, Zhuji, 311800, China Corresponding email: shudan.yan@jicat.org Journal of Energy Bioscience, 2024, Vol.15, No.5 doi: 10.5376/jeb.2024.15.0030 Received: 03 Sep., 2024 Accepted: 10 Oct., 2024 Published: 25 Oct., 2024 Copyright © 2024 Zhou and Yan, 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: Zhou J.Y., and Yan S.D., 2024, The role of switchgrass in cellulosic ethanol production and technical evaluation, Journal of Energy Bioscience, 15(5): 326-336 (doi: 10.5376/jeb.2024.15.0030) Abstract Significant progress has been made in improving the stability and catalytic efficiency of enzymes used in enzyme-catalyzed biofuel cells (EBFCs) by addressing key challenges such as enzyme stability, electron transfer efficiency, and power density in the design and optimization of EBFC performance. For instance, the use of single-walled carbon nanotube (SWCNT) and cascaded enzymes-glucose oxidase (GOx)/horseradish peroxidase (HRP) co-embedded hydrophilic MAF-7 biocatalyst resulted in an 8-fold increase in power density and a 13-fold increase in stability in human blood compared to unprotected enzymes. Additionally, the development of multi-enzyme catalysis strategies and the use of nanomaterials such as carbon nanodots and CNT sponges have shown notable improvements in power output and enzyme lifetime. Directed evolution techniques have also been employed to enhance the activity and pH stability of diaphorase, leading to a 4- to 7-fold increase in catalytic activity under acidic conditions. The findings of this study demonstrate that the integration of advanced nanomaterials and enzyme engineering techniques can significantly improve the performance of EBFCs. These improvements pave the way for the practical application of EBFCs in wearable and implantable medical devices, offering a sustainable and efficient energy source. Keywords Enzyme-catalyzed biofuel cells; Enzyme stability; Electron transfer; Power density; Nanomaterials; Directed evolution; Wearable devices; Implantable devices 1 Introduction The global energy landscape is undergoing a significant transformation as the world seeks sustainable and renewable energy sources to mitigate climate change and reduce dependence on fossil fuels. Among the various renewable energy options, biofuels have emerged as a promising alternative. Cellulosic ethanol, derived from the fibrous parts of plants, stands out due to its potential to utilize non-food biomass, thereby avoiding the food vs. fuel debate associated with first-generation biofuels. The production of cellulosic ethanol involves converting lignocellulosic biomass into fermentable sugars, which are then fermented into ethanol. This process not only provides a renewable source of energy but also contributes to reducing greenhouse gas emissions (Schmer et al., 2008; Shen et al., 2013). Switchgrass (Panicum virgatum) is a perennial warm-season grass native to North America, recognized for its high biomass yield and adaptability to various environmental conditions. It has been identified as a prime candidate for cellulosic ethanol production due to its robust growth, low agricultural input requirements, and significant carbon sequestration potential (McLaughlin and Kszos, 2005; Bai et al., 2022). Research has shown that switchgrass can produce substantial biomass even on marginal lands, making it an economically viable and environmentally sustainable bioenergy crop (Schmer et al., 2008; Norkevičienė et al., 2016). Additionally, advancements in genetic engineering have further enhanced the biofuel potential of switchgrass by improving its biomass yield and reducing lignin content, which is a major barrier to efficient biofuel production (Shen et al., 2013; Mazarei et al., 2020). This study aims to comprehensively evaluate the role of switchgrass in cellulosic ethanol production, covering agronomic practices, genetic improvements, and environmental benefits related to switchgrass cultivation. The study seeks to highlight the technological advancements and challenges in optimizing switchgrass as a bioenergy
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