African Journal of Biotechnology Vol. 2 (12), pp. 602-619, December 2003

ISSN 1684-5315  © 2003 Academic Journals

Review

Lignocellulose biotechnology: issues of bioconversion and enzyme production

Howard R.L.^1*, Abotsi E²., Jansen van Rensburg E.L.¹ and Howard S.³

¹Microbiology, School of Molecular and Life Sciences, University of the North, P/Bag X1106, Sovenga, 0727, South Africa.

²Biochemistry, School of Molecular and Life Sciences, University of the North, P/Bag X1106, Sovenga, 0727, South Africa.

³Nutrition, School of Health Sciences, University of the North, P/Bag X1106, Sovenga, 0727, South Africa.

*Corresponding author. E-mail: howardr@unorth.ac.za. Tel/fax +27 15 2682862.

This review is written from the perspective of scientists working in lignocellulose bioconversion in a developing country and the aim of this review is to remind ourselves and other scientists working in related areas of lignocellulose research of the enormous economic potential of the bioprocessing of residual plant materials generally regarded as “waste”, and secondly to highlight some of the modern approaches which potentially could be used to tackle one of the major impediments, namely high enzyme cost, to speed-up the extensive commercialisation of the lignocellulose bioprocessing.       

Key words: lignocellulose, bioconversion, enzyme cost.