Role of Microbes in the Synthesis of Industrial Products from Lignocellulosic Materials

Agricultural residues are a major renewable source available on earth. In developing countries, food, agriculture, and forestry and industries produce high amounts of lignocellulosic wastes that cause disposal problems because these wastes are not easily degraded. Here we review the microbial synthesis of industrial products from lignocellulosic wastes. Lignocellulose is a complex compound of plant cell wall, composed of cellulose, hemicellulose, lignin, pectin and inorganics. As a consequence, feedstock pretreatments are required before the microbial production of industrial products through microbial intervention. Pretreatment techniques include physical, chemical, and biological methods. We discuss the microbial synthesis of industrial products such as enzymes, bioethanol, xylitol, and vinegar.