Introduction

Abstract

The ever-increasing appetite of energy relies upon the use of unsustainable conventional resources. Even though, the nature offers abundant renewable resources to replace unsustainable sources, the technology readiness levels and compatibility with existing distribution networks remains a challenging issue. Multiple renewable energy resources such as solar, tidal, hydrothermal, ocean thermal, and wind energy have ben explored as alternative resources, however each comes with its limitations. Lignocellulosic biomass is one of the most immediate source of energy that can serve as potential alternative of fossil fuel (Singh and Harvey in J Ind Microbiol Technol 35(5):291–292, 2008; Chandel and Singh in Appl Microbiol Biotechnol 89(5):1289–1303, 2011; Chandel and Silveira in Sugarcane bio-refinery: technologies, commercialization, policy issues and paradigm shift. Elsevier, New York, 2017). After successfully introducing Edition one of “Sustainable Biotechnology: Sources of Renewable Energy” in 2010, here we continued to extend our efforts towards bridging the technology gap and focusing on other critical aspects of lignocellulosic biomolecules. We also considered the respective mechanisms regulating the bioconversion of liquid fuels into energy and value-added products of industrial significances.