Lignin modification improves fermentable sugar yields for biofuel production.
Recalcitrance to saccharification is a major limitation for conversion of lignocellulosic biomass to ethanol. In stems of transgenic alfalfa lines independently downregulated in each of six lignin biosynthetic enzymes, recalcitrance to both acid pretreatment and enzymatic digestion is directly proportional to lignin content. Some transgenics yield nearly twice as much sugar from cell walls as wild-type plants. Lignin modification could bypass the need for acid pretreatment and thereby facilitate bioprocess consolidation.
Chen
Fang
F
Plant Biology Division, Samuel Roberts Noble Foundation, 2510 Sam Noble Parkway, Ardmore, Oklahoma 73401, USA. fchen@noble.org
Dixon
Richard A
RA
D018533:Biomass; D001709:Biotechnology / Q000379:methods*; D002241:Carbohydrates / Q000737:chemistry*; D002473:Cell Wall / Q000378:metabolism; D004736:Energy-Generating Resources; D005285:Fermentation; D008031:Lignin / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000378:metabolism; D000455:Medicago sativa / Q000235:genetics*; D010944:Plants / Q000378:metabolism; D030821:Plants, Genetically Modified; D011108:Polymers / Q000737:chemistry; D011134:Polysaccharides / Q000378:metabolism; D013696:Temperature
D002241:Carbohydrates; D011108:Polymers; D011134:Polysaccharides; D008031:Lignin