Lignocellulosic biomass conversion into bioenergy: Feedstock overview

One of the most felt current problems in the worldwide scientific community is the replacement of fossil fuels with renewable sources. Fossil fuels as a source of energy have produced numerous unfavorable effects over the years, such as the decrease in air quality and the increase in global temperature. Nowadays, the rapid depletion of these fuels is provoking fluctuations in global market prices with relative crises in non-energy-independent states. Lignocellulosic biomass represents a largely widespread bio-derived carbon source on earth and a potential feedstock for obtaining ethanol,  syngas, and  fuels. Till now, their potential for reducing impacts and oil dependence has never fully exploited industrially. However, the increasing demand for renewable fuels and chemicals has pushed research toward new processing methods to recover and use this valuable biomass source. The purpose of this review, divided into four parts, is to review this research field, highlighting the most recent industrial developments for converting lignocellulosic biomass to biofuels. In this first part, after a brief discussion of the current energy production scenario, biomass sources will be classified. The production, structure, and composition of lignocellulosic biomasses will be discussed, focusing on biomass production costs, land use, and requirements for its conversion to biofuels.