Sweet sorghum and the future of first-generation bioethanol in Mexico: A review

Background. The oil crisis of the 1970s spurred the global search for alternative fuels, and in Mexico, sweet sorghum (Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench) has emerged as a promising feedstock for first-generation bioethanol due to its adaptability to diverse agroecological regions. Objective. To conduct a descriptive study on the technological advances, limitations, and challenges in the production of first-generation ethanol from sweet sorghum juice in Mexico. Methodology. A bibliometric analysis was performed using Semantic Scholar, retrieving 84 publications. Of these 20 were directly relevant, complemented by 109 additional references from Scopus, Latindex, and Google Scholar, resulting in a total of 129 analyzed references. Results. Research activity peaked between 2010 and 2020, with English-language publications dominating (68.6%). The main thematic trends included sweet sorghum juice applications for bioethanol (22%), syrup, and lactic acid (7.1%). Other trends differences between grain and juice based feedstocks, agronomic practices, genetic resources, fermentation processes, and regulatory and economic aspects. Implications. The lack of an integrative framework linking agricultural production with industrial processing limits economic feasibility assessments, regional planning, and policy development in Mexico. Conclusion. Industrial bioethanol production from sweet sorghum in Mexico remains in an early stage. This this study represents one of the first comprehensive analyses combining bibliometric, technological, and industrial perspectives, highlighting critical research gaps and future priorities for sustainable bioethanol development.