Investigation on direct application of lignocellulolytic microbial
consortia has been focused on degradation and conversion
of lignocellulosic substrates. Co-culturing of cellulolytic clostridia
with fermentative microbes has been studied for direct production
of ethanol from lignocellulosic substrates [41]. Modification
of lignocellulose degrading consortium for improved cellulolytic
activity was also achieved by adding an exogenous cellulolytic
microbe followed by its acclimation stage in the consortium [46].
Further studies will focus on engineering or modifying the microbial
community based on variation of cultivation conditions and
addition of exogenous microbes aiming for biotechnological application,
including direct degradation and one-step processing of
biomass to value-added fermentation products e.g. alcohols and
hydrogen.