The conversion of biomass to fuels via cutting-edge technologies: Explorations from natural utilization systems

[Display omitted] •All biofuel systems are evaluated.•Biomass has both environmental and economic benefits.•Microalgae-based biofuel generation is a potential and long-term alternative.•Thermochemical, chemical, and biological biomass conversion processes are discussed.•Biofuel can be produced from microalgae via biochemical conversion. Biomass can be used to manufacture both hydrocarbon fuels and chemical compounds such as rubber, alcohols, lipid-based products, sugars, etc. Due to their abundant supply and lower greenhouse gas emissions, fuels derived from biomass have received much attention in recent years. Biofuels can be made from grasses, agricultural waste, animal waste and trash, old oils, and other organic things. The characteristics of various feedstocks and fuels, as well as the techniques for converting biomass to biofuels, physical and chemical parameters, and limitations that affect biomass to fuel conversion, are all discussed. pH, temperature, and residence time are all process parameters. Other chemical factors include the availability of carbon, nutrients, acid and alkaline hydrolysis agents, phenolic inhibitors, and sugars produced throughout the process. The list of obstacles to biomass bioconversion includes reduced particle size, crystallinity, fermentation inhibitory byproducts, cellulase deactivation, yeast ethanol tolerance, and sugar co-fermentation. The research and development of biomass-to-energy conversion technology have been accelerating significantly, according to this review. The choice of the conversion method depends on the type and quality of the biomass, the final energy form, environmental requirements, economic conditions, and project-specific considerations. Biowaste is initially improved (depending on the conditions). This process includes size reduction, densification, drying, and torrefaction. The two most popular conversion methods for biomass to energy are thermochemical and biochemical. Utilizing the power of microorganisms, biochemical conversion transforms biomass into liquid or gaseous fuels. The processes of anaerobic digestion, fermentation, and photobiological hydrogen generation are currently the most widely used biochemical technologies. Recent advancements in recombinant DNA technology and protein engineering, as well as future technology like extraction, and application towards green, are targeted at addressing bioconversion restrictions.