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Bioethanol production from lignocellulosic biomass presents great potential regarding fossil fuel dependence mitigation. In fact, extensive research has been performed in order to make biomass-to-bioethanol industry economically sustainable. However, many aspects related to pretreatment of lignocellulose, hydrolysis of complex carbohydrates into simple sugars and fermentation of thereof obtained sugars still constitute a limitation and consequently need to be improved. In the present work, a review of the most currently used pretreatment methods is presented as well as detoxification methods to mitigate the effect of toxic compounds formed. The most promising hydrolysis and fermentation technologies, leading to the highest hydrolysis rates as well as ethanol yield, are also reviewed. Lastly, the advantages of “in situ” recovery of ethanol are highlighted and the methods presenting the highest potential to achieve this goal are identified. 

bioethanol, lignocellulosic biomass, pretreatment, inhibitors, enzymatic hydrolysis, fermentation.