Nonionic surfactants for enhancement of lignocellulose enzymatic hydrolysis

Lignocellulosic biomass is the most abundant carbon source available on earth. Cellulase enzyme plays a pivotal role in the conversion of lignocellulose into fermentable sugars. The success of biofuel production from lignocellulose highly depends on the enzymatic hydrolysis. Application of cellulase in the biorefinery process increases the cost of production. Hence strategies are needed to reduce the cost by decreasing the enzyme loading. One among them is the addition of nonionic surfactants during enzyme hydrolysis. Nonionic surfactants carry no charge, relatively nontoxic, and environment friendly. Recently surfactants are gaining importance in biorefinery process as an additive to enhance the saccharification process of lignocellulosic biomass to avoid the nonproductive adsorption of the cellulase to the biomass and increase the enzyme activity and stability. This chapter will address the role, function, and theories of the nonionic surfactants in improving enzymatic hydrolysis and/or reducing the enzyme loading with optimum conversion and yield. It will also discuss the recent research and findings in this area.