The production of second generation bioethanol: The biotechnology potential of thermophilic bacteria

The ever growing concerns about the impact of first generation bioethanol on food chain and on biodiversity have shifted the focus of research to second generation (2G) bioethanol technologies. The 2G-bioethanol's production relies on biomass feedstock that could provide a more sustainable energy generation without compromising food security and environment. Indeed, this production process exploits non-food crops, food crops residues, wastes of wood-based or food-based industries such as wood chips, skins or pulps from fruit pressing, respectively. Nevertheless, the industrial process of 2G-bioethanol's production is still in its infancy, indeed the future and the sustainability of the 2G-bioethanol strongly depend upon the development of the current technology. In this paper particular attention will be paid to the role of thermophilic microorganisms and their enzymes to the biotechnology's development of the bioethanol's production process.