Lignocellulose—the material forming the woody cell walls of plants—represents the single largest supply of polysaccharides (carbohydrates) produced in the plant kingdom that can be hydrolyzed to sugars and converted into fuel alcohol. Biomass materials that are preponderantly lignocellulosic include all wood residues generated in logging and sawmilling operations; prunings of orchard, vineyard, and ornamental plants; stalks of cotton plants; and stems of grasses including wheat, rice, barley, corn (stover), sugarcane (bagasse after extraction of sucrose), and bamboo.

The author acknowledges the advice and support of GeoProducts Corporation of Oakland, California, in this research.