Perspectives on current and future yeast technologies for ethanol-based biofuels and bioproducts

Area of Science:

• Biotechnology
• Renewable Energy
• Environmental Science

Background:

• Climate change, driven by greenhouse gases, reduces agricultural productivity and food security.
• Fossil fuel use contributes significantly to climate change, impacting global sustainability.
• Renewable biofuels, like bioethanol, offer a pathway to reduce fossil fuel dependence and mitigate climate change.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review yeast-dependent aspects of first- and second-generation bioethanol production technologies.
• To examine critical phenotypes and genetic strategies for enhancing yeast strains in bioethanol processes.
• To discuss the future of bioethanol, including advanced generations and biorefineries, for climate change mitigation and improved land use.

Main Methods:

• Review of existing literature on yeast fermentation for bioethanol production.
• Analysis of classical and molecular genetic techniques for yeast strain improvement.
• Exploration of advanced bioethanol concepts like third- and fourth-generation biofuels and Power-to-X biorefineries.

Main Results:

• First-generation bioethanol relies on yeast fermentation of food crop sugars, while second-generation utilizes lignocellulosic sugars.
• Specific yeast phenotypes are critical for efficient bioethanol production.
• Genetic strategies, both classical and molecular, can significantly improve yeast performance.

Conclusions:

• Substantial increases in bioethanol production are necessary to replace fossil fuels.
• Advancements in yeast technology are vital for future bioethanol generations and biorefineries.
• Yeasts play a significant role in climate change mitigation, carbon dioxide fixation, and sustainable land use.