Microbial Pentose Utilization: Current Applications in Biotechnology (Progress in Industrial Microbiology)

Reviews the recent developments and suggests future research into using lignocellulosic biomass at a microbial level in the production of industrial chemicals, liquid fuels, protein-rich feed, and food, and for the preparation of cellulose polymers. Such microbial processes are being expanded from their venerable use for making alcoholic beverages, partly because of improved yeast and recombinant bacterial strains. Among the topics are the biosynthesis and biodegradation of hemicelluloses, extracting pentosans from lignocellulosic materials, the uptake and metabolism of pentoses, tolerance to solvents and organic acids, and genetically improving microorganisms that ferment pentose. Also discusses the production of ethanol, acetone and butanol, organic acids, xylitol, and other substances. Double spaced. Annotation copyright Book News, Inc. Portland, Or.