Advanced Pretreatment and Enzymatic Strategies for Lignocellulosic Biomass Conversion in Sustainable Bioenergy Systems

The increasing demand for sustainable and low-carbon energy has intensified global interest in renewable biomass as an alternative resource for fuel and chemical production. Lignocellulosic biomass, including agricultural residues, forestry waste, and other organic materials, represents one of the most abundant renewable carbon sources available. However, its complex structure composed of cellulose, hemicellulose, and lignin presents significant challenges for efficient conversion. To overcome these barriers, pretreatment technologies and enzyme-assisted hydrolysis have become critical steps in biomass processing. Pretreatment methods help disrupt the recalcitrant structure of lignocellulose, improving the accessibility of structural carbohydrates, while specialized enzymes enable the depolymerization of complex polysaccharides into fermentable sugars. Recent advances in pretreatment strategies, enzyme engineering, and integrated bioprocessing have significantly enhanced biomass conversion efficiency, supporting the development of sustainable bioenergy and biorefinery systems.Despite considerable progress, complexities associated with pretreatment processes, high enzyme costs, and enzyme stability limitations remain key bottlenecks in the large-scale conversion of lignocellulosic biomass into bioenergy and high-value chemicals. The inherent recalcitrance of biomass often limits enzymatic accessibility and reduces overall process efficiency. Consequently, the development of advanced pretreatment strategies and highly efficient enzyme systems is essential to improve biomass deconstruction and increase the yield of fermentable sugars and downstream bio-based products. In addition, integrating pretreatment and enzymatic processes within optimized biorefinery frameworks is increasingly recognized as a key pathway for improving the sustainability and economic feasibility of biomass conversion technologies.This Research Topic aims to bring together recent advances in pretreatment technologies, enzyme engineering, and integrated biomass conversion processes that enable more efficient utilization of lignocellulosic resources. Particular attention will be given to innovative chemical, physical, and biological pretreatment methods, the development of robust enzyme systems and enzyme cocktails, and novel biocatalytic approaches that improve biomass digestibility and conversion efficiency. Contributions focusing on process integration, waste biomass valorization, techno-economic evaluation, and life-cycle assessment of biomass conversion systems are also encouraged.We welcome submissions including Original Research Articles, Review Articles, Mini-Reviews, and Perspectives that advance fundamental understanding and technological development in lignocellulosic biomass processing. Topics of interest include, but are not limited to:• Advanced chemical, physical, and biological pretreatment technologies;• Enzyme engineering and enzyme cocktail optimization for biomass hydrolysis;• Enzymatic hydrolysis and biocatalytic conversion of lignocellulosic biomass;• Integration of pretreatment and enzymatic processes in biorefinery systems;• Valorization of agricultural residues, forestry waste, and other lignocellulosic feedstocks;• Role of artificial intelligence (AI), machine learning (ML), and computational biology in lignocellulosic biorefineries for process optimization, enzyme engineering, and system-level integration;• Techno-economic analysis and life-cycle assessment of biomass conversion processes;• Sustainable bioenergy production and biorefinery system design. Topic editors: BIKASH KUMAR, KAUSTUBH CHANDRAKANT KHAIRE, Cataldo De Blasio, Thilini U. Ariyadasa, KARAN KUMAR Source: https://www.frontiersin.org/research-topics/80071/advanced-pretreatment-and-enzymatic-strategies-for-lignocellulosic-biomass-conversion-in-sustainable-bioenergy-systems