In fact, the most debated problem is related to the use
of feed stocks (edible crops), land and water resources for the
production of biofuels that enter into competition with food
production. Next generation biofuels are based on the use of
lignocellulosic biomasses that comprise cellulose, hemicelluloses,
lignin and other minor components. The existing
methodologies for the saccharification of lignocellulosic
biomass (acid and enzymatic hydrolysis) and for fermentation
to ethanol (simultaneous saccharification and fermentation,
and fermentationwith thermophiles) are widely described and
discussed in Refs.