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Energy cane and sweet sorghum are unique among dedicated energy crops because they are harvested in green (wet) state. The first processing step involves extraction of soluble compounds, which yields sucrose and invert sugar-based juices and syrups. These can be used for ‘green’ chemical production or for fermentation to high-value chemicals such as succinic acid and butanol. n-Butanol and isopropanol are valuable and promising alternatives to replace their production from petroleum. We have produced these solvents through fermentation by Clostridium beijerinckii, but production levels have not yet reached commercial scales. This obstacle will be overcome to allow biobutanol/isopropanol to be produced commercially. In a successful biorefinery, full valorization of all products along the production cycle is needed. Our activities address conversion of biomass and syrups from energy cane and sweet sorghum into an array of products.
