Biotechnology and Comprehensive Utilizations of Plant-fiber Waste Resources

Authors Xue Jinai; Mao Xue; Li Runzhi

Journal Journal of Natural Resources , 2005,6:20

Abstract Agricultural wastes such as straw of cereal crops,cottonseed hulls,coconut husks, su-garcane bagasse,pineapple and banana leaves are the major renewable and re-useable resources of plant fibers.These agro-based biofibers are the important raw materials for bioproduct deve-lopment and various industrial utilizations in food,medicine,textile,paper,composite and fine chemicals and so on.Approximately 2xlOtons of agro-based biofibers are produced in the world every year.Annual production of cereal straw and stalks,sugarcane bagasse and oil crop straw are around 6xl08,2xl07and 3xlO7 tons in China.Traditionally,most of the agricultural byproducts are used as a source of fuel or animal feed and therefore,are of limited value at present though this kind of plant fiber resource is annually renewable and available in abundance.Biotechnology greatly accelerated the exploitation and comprehensive applications of the agro-based biofibers, resulting in the developments of numerous greenindustries with environmental benefits.Firstly, the present paper analyses the physical and chemical characters of biofibers from agricultural wastes and the various ways for their industrial applications.Secondly,the main investigations of this paper are focused on the advances in bio-developments of plant fiber resources for the value-added commercial products including single cell protein,cellulolytic enzymes,lactic acid, xylitol,fuel ethanol.bio-electricity, biodegradable polymers and other biocomposites.Thirdly,the paper also discusses the current shortages and challenges for bio-development of agro-based biofibers.lt is believable and bright that biotechnology will make the biofiber-based products competitive with current petroleum-based products and at the same time has the benefits of reducing dependence on nonrenewable energy sources,enhancing national security,improving the environment,creating new opportunities for the agricultural economy and promoting sustainable development.