A Brief Review of Recent Furfural Production from Lignocellulosic Biomass: State of the Art of Processes, Technologies, and Optimization

Furfural, an environmentally friendly alternative to petroleum-derived products, has gained significant attention as a versatile and sustainable chemical. This review article presents a critical analysis of state-of-the-art processes and technologies for furfural production from lignocellulosic biomass, focusing on bioremediation and biochemical development potential. It includes a comprehensive overview of biomass pretreatment techniques, advanced hydrolysis techniques, and highly efficient furfural synthesis methods. Recent research advances are synthesized, research gaps are identified, and future research directions are pointed out. The paper discusses various production methods including acid hydrolysis, catalytic systems, solvent-thermal conversion, and bio-refinery processes. Process steps for each approach, reaction status comparisons, and key findings are highlighted. The results obtained from the tests on parameters such as temperature, pressure, pH, and substrate concentration are consistent, with temperature being identified as an important factor affecting furfural production. In addition, this comprehensive review investigates the effects of pressure, pH, and substrate concentration on furfural production and will serve as a valuable resource for researchers, industry professionals, and policy makers involved in furfural production. It provides insight into the current status of furfural production from lignocellulosic biomass and emphasizes opportunities for process acquisition, improvement, and optimization. Ultimately, this review article will contribute to the development of a greener and more sustainable bio-based economy.