This book introduces biomass which is utilized all over the world based on geographical, cultural, and historical background. It covers 18 major biomass types and several specific plants categorized into 3 groups based on their usage. The present and historical background of representative materials from biomass, such as cellulose, lignin, chitin, sugar, molasses, amylose, and other interesting natural biopolymers, such as hyaluronan, gum Arabic, and others are introduced. Furthermore, characteristic features of representative and influential plants, such as rice, eucalyptus, and oil palm are described together with historical episodes. Although physicochemical characteristic properties of each material and plant have been published over many decades, scarcely a comprehensive introduction on biomass together with Asian, European, and Latin American cultural backgrounds. In this book, biomass familiar to everybody’s life is introduced based on scientific and cultural viewpoints. It guides readers to gain background knowledge of targeting biomass to be developed as industrial resources. In addition to students, scientists, and lecturers, the book will be useful for industrial engineers, both specialists in polymer science and technology and materials experts.
