The Role of Sorghum in Renewables and Biofuels

Methods Mol Biol. 2019:1931:269-277. doi: 10.1007/978-1-4939-9039-9_19.

Abstract

Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench is an important annual C4 cereal crop with unique properties-it can be used in almost all renewable schemes being proposed for renewable fuels and green technologies. In the United States, the grain is currently used as a feedstock in the grain-ethanol process, while in China, the Philippines, and India, sweet sorghums are used in a sugar-to-ethanol process. High-tonnage biomass sorghums are being investigated for their potential use in both cellulosic and lignocellulosic renewables. Other countries have been exploring sorghum's use as a renewable building material and as a potential source of high-value C molecules for the creation of renewable oils and other important industrial chemicals. Sorghum can become a major player in the renewable feedstock industry because of its potential for high-yield production under limited water and inputs, strong research capacities, a well-established seed industry, and a robust history of research on production and cultural practices. The following review highlights various research activities in support of renewables using sorghum as a primary feedstock.

Keywords: Adaptability; Cellulosic; Drought; Ethanol; Lignocellulosic; Low inputs; Renewable; Sorghum.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Biofuels
  • Biomass
  • China
  • Edible Grain / chemistry*
  • Edible Grain / growth & development*
  • Ethanol / chemistry
  • India
  • Philippines
  • Sorghum / chemistry*
  • Sorghum / growth & development*
  • United States

Substances

  • Biofuels
  • Ethanol