ABSTRACT

The conversion of cellulosic material to ethanol was first attempted in Germany in 1989. http/www.en.wikipedia.org.(May, 2009). Interest in cellulosic material as a renewable and sustainable source of energy (bioethanol/bioftiel) has increased since mid 1970s as result of increase in price of petroleum products (Becker et al., 1982). Extensive research works were conducted in the area of cellulose utilization for fuel production during that period (Spand et at., 1976; Dawn and Gupta, 1977; Karube, 1977; Ladish et at., 1978, Wilke et at., 1978). Furthermore, in the last few years, considerable efforts have been focused on fuel (ethanol) production from plant biomass for use in gasoline blends so as to reduce petroleum exploration, refining, and consumption, due to the attendant negative climatic and environmental impacts, including global warming (Chandrakaut and Bisaria, 1978, Gong ci at., 1999; Farrell et at., 2006; Chu and Lee, 2007). Currently, in North America, most ethanol produced from biomass for gasoline blend is based on the conversion of starch from grains such as corn (maize), sorghum, rice, etc. Statistics show that more than half of the total corn produced yearly in the United States of America (USA) is turned into biofuel. http://www.time.com(May, 2009). Since grains are produced mainly for human food and animal feed, increasing and competing demand for bio-ethanol depletes the grain supply such that it does not suffice for food and feed. This increases food shortage and decreases the fertility of agricultural fields (Chu and Lee, 2007). While increase in grain prices can be beneficial to farmers, it has led some people to question the wisdom of embracing biofluel (bioethanol), and has spawned a "food versus fuel" debate. http://www.time.com(May, 2009).