Reviews of Science for Science Librarians: Second-generation Biofuels Feedstock: Crop Wastes, Energy Grasses, and Forest Byproducts

Abstract

With the goal of determining which plant materials—other than the edible portions of crops like corn, small grains, sugar cane, and vegetable oils—were being researched as alternative energy feedstocks, a search was performed on the topic of Biofuels within the Web of Science. An examination of article titles and keywords in the 50 most cited and 250 most recent biofuels articles disclosed 263 pertinent mentions of plants. Underutilized portions of crops already being grown for food or biofuels led, followed by inedible “energy” grasses. Residues from wood processing, inedible plant oils, and aquatic plants were less referenced.

KEYWORDS:

• second-generation biofuels
• corn stover
• energy grasses
• inedible plant oils
• forestry wastes