Cassava (Manihot Esculenta) Dual Use for Food and Bioenergy: A Review
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Date
2021
Authors
Fathima, Anwar Aliya
Sanitha, Mary
Tripathi, Leena
Muiruri, Samwel
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
WILEY
Abstract
Cassava (Manihot esculenta. Crantz) is a starch-rich, woody tuberous, root crop
important for food, with little being done to investigate its potential as a bioenergy crop despite its enormous potential. The major bottleneck in the crop being
able to serve this dual role is the competition of its storage roots for both purposes.
The major cassava production regions primarily use the tuberous roots for food,
and this has resulted in its neglect as a bioenergy crop. The use of non-food cassava parts as a feedstock in cellulosic biofuel production is a promising strategy
that can overcome this challenge. However, in non-tuber parts, most of the sugars
are highly sequestered in lignin complexes making them inaccessible to bacterial
bioconversion. Additionally, cassava production in these major growing areas is
not optimal owing to several production constraints. The challenges affecting cassava production as a food and bioenergy crop are interconnected and therefore
need to be addressed together. Cassava improvement against biotic and abiotic
stresses can enhance productivity and cater for the high demand of the roots for
food and bioenergy production. Furthermore, increased production will enhance
the usability of non-food parts for bioenergy as the bigger goal. This review addresses efforts in cassava improvement against stresses that reduce its productivity as well as strategies that enhance biomass production, both important for food
and bioenergy. Additionally, prospective strategies that could ease bioconversion
of cassava for enhanced bioenergy production are explored.
Description
Article
Keywords
bioenergy, biomass and improvement, cassava, food, roots
Citation
Fathima, A. A., Sanitha, M., Tripathi, L., & Muiruri, S. (2023). Cassava (Manihot esculenta) dual use for food and bioenergy: A review. Food and Energy Security, 12(1), e380.