Tree Genetics and Molecular Breeding 2024, Vol.14, No.5, 247-255 http://genbreedpublisher.com/index.php/tgmb 247 Review and Progress Open Access Application Potential and Technical Challenges of Agave in Bioethanol Production Wenying Hong, Wenzhong Huang Biomass Research Center, Hainan Institute of Tropical Agricultural Resouces, Sanya, 572025, Hainan, China Corresponding email: wenzhong.huang@hitar.org Tree Genetics and Molecular Breeding, 2024, Vol.14, No.5 doi: 10.5376/tgmb.2024.14.0024 Received: 13 Sep., 2024 Accepted: 15 Oct., 2024 Published: 23 Oct., 2024 Copyright © 2024 Hong and Huang, 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: Hong W.Y., and Huang W.Z., 2024, Application potential and technical challenges of Agave in bioethanol production, Tree Genetics and Molecular Breeding, 14(5): 247-255 (doi: 10.5376/tgmb.2024.14.0024) Abstract This study explores the potential application of Agave species in bioethanol production and its associated technical challenges, including the assessment of bioethanol yield efficiency, Agave's adaptability to various environmental conditions, and its economic feasibility as a biofuel feedstock. The study found that Agave species, particularly Agave americana and Agave neomexicana, show significant promise as bioethanol feedstocks due to their high carbohydrate content and low recalcitrance to enzymatic hydrolysis. Ethanol yields fromAgave are comparable to those from traditional biofuel crops like sugarcane and corn, with Agave neomexicana producing (119±11) mg ethanol/g biomass. Additionally, Agave's ability to grow in semi-arid and arid regions without significant water inputs makes it a sustainable option for biofuel production. The study also highlights the development of efficient enzyme cocktails, such as those produced by Aspergillus niger, which significantly improve the saccharification process. The findings suggest that Agave has substantial potential as a bioethanol feedstock, particularly in regions unsuitable for traditional crops. Its high yield, low water requirements, and adaptability to harsh climates make it a viable and sustainable option for biofuel production. However, further research and development are needed to optimize the fermentation processes and improve economic feasibility. Keywords Agave; Bioethanol; Biofuel feedstock; Enzymatic hydrolysis; Sustainable energy; Semi-arid regions; Saccharomyces cerevisiae; Aspergillus niger 1 Introduction Bioethanol, a type of biofuel, has garnered significant attention as a renewable energy source due to its potential to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and dependence on fossil fuels. Bioethanol is produced through the fermentation of sugars derived from various biomass feedstocks, including food crops, lignocellulosic materials, and algae (Rodionova et al., 2017; Bušić et al., 2018). It is considered a cleaner alternative to gasoline, emitting fewer pollutants and contributing to a reduction in overall carbon footprint (Chilakamarry et al., 2021; Karimi et al., 2021). Globally, bioethanol production is dominated by the United States and Brazil, primarily using corn and sugarcane as feedstocks, respectively (Zhou and Yan, 2024). These traditional feedstocks, while effective, present challenges such as competition with food supply and high water usage (Bušić et al., 2018; Raud et al., 2019). The search for alternative feedstocks that do not compete with food resources and can be cultivated in less arable land has led to increased interest in lignocellulosic biomass and other non-food sources (Broda et al., 2022; Kumar and Shahi, 2023). Traditional feedstocks like corn and sugarcane have been the backbone of bioethanol production (Hong and Huang, 2024). However, their use raises several issues, including high water and fertilizer requirements, competition with food crops, and significant land use (Bušić et al., 2018; Raud et al., 2019). These limitations necessitate the exploration of more sustainable and less resource-intensive alternatives (Rezania et al., 2020; Kumar and Ram, 2021). Agave, a succulent plant native to arid and semi-arid regions, has emerged as a promising alternative feedstock for bioethanol production. Agave species are known for their high sugar content and ability to thrive in water-limited
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