chapter 1. Introduction -- chapter 2. photosynthesis, the ultimate beginning for biorefineries -- chapter 3. Features of first generation biorefineries -- chapter 4. Cellulose, the predominant constituent of biomass -- chapter 5. Enzymatic and non-biological degradation of cellulose -- chapter 6. Hemicelluloses and lignin, other key constituents of biomass -- chapter 7. Pretreatments of lignocellulosic biomass -- chapter 8. Biochemical conversion of biomass -- chapter 9. Thermochemical conversion of lignocellulosic biomass -- chapter 10. Perspectives.