Recent decades have seen the growth of immense interest in lignocellulosic biomass conversion technologies. This interest is motivated by their huge potential for energy and bioproduct generation and reduced dependency on non-renewable feedstocks, leading to improved air quality and reduced emission of greenhouse gases. It is in this context that the lignocellulose biorefi nery concept arises. Among the lignocellulose conversion technologies available, enzymatic conversion has emerged as a promising candidate, since it represents a biomass management approach that integrates recycling and remediation in an environmentally friendly manner. Although already in existence, biorefi neries employing enzymatic conversion of lignocellulose are at an incipient stage. There remain many operational diffi culties, resulting in a very costly overall process that is refl ected in product price, reducing market competitiveness. Therefore, much research is still needed to improve the operational and fi nancial feasibility of this process. This paper covers general biorefi nery concepts, as well as new and associated concepts, such as the circular economy, bioeconomy, and waste biorefi nery. Subsequently, the global outlook, including examples of currently existing enzyme-based lignocellulose biorefi neries and their status, is described. The main technical and economic challenges are also discussed, and various potential tools for the optimization of biomass degradation in enzyme-based biorefi neries are presented. Finally, the future perspectives for the sector are considered, and models of the ideal biorefi nery and globally integrated biorefi nery hubs are proposed. These models may contribute to the future establishment of such biorefi neries as competitive industries, consistent with the sustainable bioelectro economy paradigm. (Brazil). His research focuses on the valorization of Brazilian agroindustrial residues, mainly sugarcane bagasse, as substrate for enzyme synthesis and conversion into bioproducts. He is currently involved in the investigation of pretreatment technologies to enhance holocellulase production when employing lignocellulosic materials as substrate for filamentous fungi. Raissa P. VazRaissa P. Vaz is a PhD student at the Department of Cell Biology of the University of Brasília (Brazil). Her work is focused mainly on immobilization, characterization, and applications of lignocellulose-degrading enzymes. Edivaldo X.F. FilhoEdivaldo X.F. Filho is Professor of Biochemistry at the Department of Cell Biology of the University of Brasília (Brazil). He conducts research in the fields of biochemistry and biotechnology, investigating the production, purification, characterization, and biotechnology applications of lignocellulose-degrading enzymes from filamentous fungi.

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We report a simple and easy formation of hybrids between multi-wall carbon nanotubes and gold nanorods by one-pot in situ photochemical synthesis. Measurements of surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) through the effect "coffee ring" in visible and near infrared (NIR) show high sensitivity with detection of nanomolar concentrations of aromatic dyes. The formation of nanocomposites between carbon nanotubes and gold nanorods without chemical binders simplifies the preparation. Photochemical synthesis is an advance over the techniques previously published.

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Aspergillus terreus can produce different holocellulose‐degrading enzymes when grown in sugarcane bagasse, with predominant pectinase activity. Thus, pectinase was selected for purification and immobilization studies. Ion exchange and molecular exclusion chromatography studies were performed, after which it was possible to semipurify the enzyme with a yield of 80%. The crude extract pectinase (PECEB) and the partially purified enzyme (PEC2) were immobilized on monoamino‐N‐aminoethyl (MANAE)‐agarose with pectinase activity yields of 66% and 98%, respectively. After immobilization in MANAE‐agarose, the pectinase showed higher activity at acidic pH (pH 4.0) when compared to the nonimmobilized enzyme. It was also found that after the immobilization process, there was a threefold improvement in the enzyme's thermostability. Also, it was possible to reuse the immobilized enzyme for up to five cycles of hydrolysis with effective production of reducing sugars (0.196 mg/g of substrate). The industrial application test revealed a significant decrease in the viscosity of guava juice when the immobilized enzyme was used. PECEB, immobilized on MANAE‐agarose, was the enzyme sample that generated the highest pulp viscosity reduction (approximately 47%). Although additional studies are needed for practical industrial application, the results obtained herein reveal the potential of application of immobilized pectinase in the industry.

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