First-generation biofuels refer to biodiesel and/or bioethanol derived from bio­resources, e. g. sugar, starch, corn, vegetable oil or animal fats using conventional technology (use established processes and mainly food products as feedstock). As such, food vs. fuel debate arises, and thus, there is a need to address issues like food security vs. energy security, food shortage and food price rises.

The feedstock for second-generation biofuels is generally derived from non-food biomass and non-food crops. Second-generation biofuels can also be defined based on the type of feedstock or technologies used.

For third-generation biofuels, the feedstock used is mainly algae and microbes (advanced biofuels). Table 1.1 illustrates briefly the different generations of biofuels which can exist in many different forms.

S. K. Loh (*) • Y. M. Choo

Malaysian Palm Oil Board (MPOB), Selangor, Malaysia e-mail: lohsk@mpob. gov. my

R. Pogaku and R. Hj. Sarbatly (eds.), Advances in Biofuels,

DOI 10.1007/978-1-4614-6249-1_1, © Springer Science+Business Media New York 2013