Biochemical Conversion of Renewable Carbohydrates to Furanic Builiding Blocks

Abstract

The global dependency on fossil fuels as the primary source of chemicals and energy has increased over the recent years. However, fossil fuels are regarded as non-renewable finite resources which contribute to greenhouse gas emission. Therefore, there is a necessity for greener chemicals, produced from sustainable or renewable feedstocks, such as agro-based and forestry-based biomass, through ecologically viable production techniques and technologies which are economical. Casuarina equisetifolia along with Agave americana are popular biomass sources in India. The residual parts of these plants are not used for industrial processing. These parts are mostly lignocellulosic biomass which is rich in carbohydrates and is exploited as a rich source to produce platform chemicals or in biofuel production newline