Lignocellulosic
Lignocellulosic refers to plant biomass composed primarily of three main components: cellulose, hemicellulose, and lignin.
It forms the structural framework of most plants: wood from trees and shrubs, the stems of cereals and corn, as well as the dedicated energy crops (like switchgrass and miscanthus) are primarily composed of lignocellulose.
Lignocellulosic materials are abundant and non-food sources, making them a valuable feedstock for producing bioenergy, biofuels, biochemicals, and other bio-based products. Producing bioenergy from lignocellulosic biomass is relatively easy through combustion, but due to its complex structure, converting lignocellulosic biomass into usable products often requires more advanced technologies, such as enzymatic hydrolysis or thermochemical processes, to break down the fibers and access the fermentable sugars within.
