Biotechnological potential of biofuels in the context of global energy challenges

The modern world needs to decarbonize the energy sector, where biofuels are a key alternative to fossil fuels to improve energy security. The purpose of the article is to systematically review and analyze the current state and prospects of biological conversion of biomass into biofuels, highlighting its evolution from the first to the fourth generation, assessment of technological advances, economic aspects and environmental impact. The study is based on a systematic analysis of relevant scientific literature from leading international databases. The methodology included a critical assessment of existing bioconversion technologies, an analysis of the advantages and disadvantages of each generation of biofuels, and a study of the economic, environmental and social factors affecting their production and implementation. The analysis showed that the evolution of biofuels (from the first to the fourth generation, including genetically modified organisms) demonstrates a constant desire to minimize competition with the food sector and increase the efficiency of biological conversion. Biofuels have a significantly lower carbon footprint compared to fossil fuels and growing economic competitiveness, contributing to the transition to a low-carbon economy and creating new opportunities. Scaling up biofuels production, especially third- and fourth-generation biofuels, is crucial to achieving global sustainable development goals. The development of the industry contributes not only to environmental benefits, but also to energy security and new socioeconomic opportunities. Prospects for further research include further optimization of bioprocesses, expansion of a sustainable feedstock base, improvement of economic efficiency of production, and implementation of comprehensive environmental monitoring to ensure the long-term sustainability of the biofuel industry.