Jiong Fu

Hainan Institute of Troppical Agricultural Resources (HITAR), Sanya, 572025, Hainan, China
Author    Correspondence author
Journal of Energy Bioscience, 2024, Vol. 15, No. 3   doi: 10.5376/jeb.2024.15.0014
Received: 21 Mar., 2024    Accepted: 27 Apr., 2024    Published: 08 May, 2024

This is an open access article published under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.

Fu J., 2024, Optimizing cassava for bioenergy: genetic foundations and biochemical mechanisms of biomass conversion, Journal of Energy Bioscience, 15(3): 135-146 (doi: 10.5376/jeb.2024.15.0014)

This systematic review aims to consolidate current knowledge on the genetic and biochemical strategies that can enhance cassava (Manihot esculenta Crantz) as a bioenergy source. Cassava is a staple food crop with significant potential in bioenergy development due to its high carbohydrate content and adaptability to tropical climates. Recent advancements in genetic engineering have enabled the improvement of cassava traits, such as pest and disease resistance, starch quality, and biofortification, thus overcoming the limitations of traditional breeding methods (Liu et al., 2011; Jiang et al., 2019). Additionally, the application of cassava harvest residues in various biochemical and thermochemical conversion processes has been explored, highlighting the versatility of cassava biomass in the bioenergy industry (El-Sharkawy, 2003). Genetic approaches to modify the polysaccharide properties and composition of cassava biomass have shown promise in increasing the proportion of fermentable sugars and reducing the recalcitrance of the plant cell wall, thereby enhancing bioenergy crop efficiency (Ihemere et al., 2006). Furthermore, the genetic modification of cassava to increase starch production by altering the expression of key enzymes involved in carbohydrate metabolism has demonstrated a substantial increase in root biomass, which is crucial for bioenergy applications (Okudoh et al., 2014). The review concludes that through targeted genetic and biochemical interventions, cassava can be optimized for bioenergy production, offering a sustainable alternative to fossil fuels and contributing to energy security. The findings underscore the importance of continued research and development in this field to fully realize the bioenergy potential of cassava.

Cassava; Bioenergy; Genetic engineering; Biomass conversion; Polysaccharide modification; Starch production; Biochemical conversion; Thermochemical conversion