Sustainable valorization of corn biomass: a circular approach to bioenergy and bioproducts

Abstract The current search for green alternatives to substitute fossil-based compounds has increased interest in renewable biomass sources. In this context, corn ( Zea mays ) has been extensively explored for first-generation (1G) bioethanol production. Over the past 20 years, the production of this biofuel has increased from 4.5 to 28.5 billion gallons, led mainly by the US and Brazil. The synthesis of corn-bioethanol in biorefineries is a prime example of the circular economy principles, as there is co-generation of different bioproducts: corn oil, animal feed, and CO 2 . Although 1G bioethanol production from corn is well-known and has been extensively studied, its processing chain can be further explored, promoting advances in already existing biorefinery systems. Beyond animal feed and corn oil, novel biomolecules can be produced in such industrial platforms—advanced fuels, biopolymers, and enzymes, for example. Therefore, this review article aims to present and discuss up-to-date literature reports on the topic, providing insights into new technologies that could be explored in the corn biorefinery context. New advances in this field, as well as challenges and strategies to overcome them, will be described and explored.