Multi-dimensional maize biomass utilization: Mitigating existing agro-waste by meaningful value addition

Area of Science:

• Biomass Valorization
• Lignocellulose Biorefining
• Circular Economy

Background:

• Maize stover constitutes a significant portion of maize plant dry mass, rich in cellulose, hemicellulose, and lignin.
• Valorization of maize stover offers opportunities for new markets and complements first-generation ethanol production.
• Efficiently utilizing agro-residues can enhance the sustainability of crop rotation and bioconversion processes.

Purpose of the Study:

• To provide an integrative view of global maize biomass generation and utilization.
• To emphasize multi-dimensional product formation from maize biomass in a circular approach.
• To evaluate emerging pretreatment techniques and process modifications for profitable maize lignocellulose biorefineries.

Main Methods:

• Review of emerging pretreatment techniques (deep eutectic solvents, biphasic fractionation, carbon-capture).
• Evaluation of process modifications (enzyme recycling) and product suitability for high-value markets.
• Analysis of techno-economic and life cycle assessments for cost and environmental impact quantification.

Main Results:

• Maize biomass can yield a spectrum of marketable products including enzymes, bioethanol, and biopolymers.
• Advanced biorefinery strategies and process optimizations are crucial for economic viability.
• Techno-economic and life cycle assessments provide insights into costs and environmental footprints.

Conclusions:

• Harnessing maize lignocellulose through integrated biorefineries offers sustainable and profitable solutions.
• Addressing current challenges and implementing supportive policies are vital for industrial-scale deployment.
• Future research should focus on bridging technological gaps to accelerate commercialization.