Multiscale deconstruction of molecular architecture in corn stover.
Lignocellulosic composite in corn stover is a candidate biofuel feedstock of substantial abundance and sustainability. Its utilization is hampered by resistance of constituent cellulose fibrils to deconstruction. Here we use multi-scale studies of pretreated corn stover to elucidate the molecular mechanism of deconstruction and investigate the basis of recalcitrance. Dilute acid pretreatment has modest impact on fibrillar bundles at 0.1 micron length scales while leading to significant disorientation of individual fibrils. It disintegrates many fibrils into monomeric cellulose chains or small side-by-side aggregates. Residual crystalline fibrils lose amorphous surface material, change twist and where still cross-linked, coil around one another. Yields from enzymatic digestion are largely due to hydrolysis of individual cellulose chains and fragments generated during pretreatments. Fibrils that remain intact after pretreatment display substantial resistance to enzymatic digestion. Optimization of yield will require strategies that maximize generation of fragments and minimize preservation of intact cellulosic fibrils.
Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, Northeastern University, Boston, MA 02115.
Hideyo
H
Inouye
Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, Northeastern University, Boston, MA 02115.
Yan
Y
Zhang
National Synchrotron Light Source, Brookhaven National Laboratory, Upton, NY 11973.
Lin
L
Yang
GM/CA CAT, XSD, Advanced Photon Source, Argonne National Laboratory, Argonne, IL 60439.
Nagarajan
N
Venugopalan
GM/CA CAT, XSD, Advanced Photon Source, Argonne National Laboratory, Argonne, IL 60439.
Robert F
RF
Fischetti
X-ray Science Division, Advanced Photon Source, Argonne National Laboratory, Argonne, IL 60439.
S Charlotte
SC
Gleber
X-ray Science Division, Advanced Photon Source, Argonne National Laboratory, Argonne, IL 60439.
Stefan
S
Vogt
Department of Biology, Northeastern University, 360 Huntington Avenue, Boston, MA 02115.
W
W
Fowle
Department of Physics, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, Troy, NY, 12180.
Bryan
B
Makowski
Chemical and Biosciences Center, National Renewable Energy Laboratory, Golden, CO, 80401.
Melvin
M
Tucker
Chemical and Biosciences Center, National Renewable Energy Laboratory, Golden, CO, 80401.
Peter
P
Ciesielski
Chemical and Biosciences Center, National Renewable Energy Laboratory, Golden, CO, 80401.
Bryon
B
Donohoe
Chemical and Biosciences Center, National Renewable Energy Laboratory, Golden, CO, 80401.
James
J
Matthews
Chemical and Biosciences Center, National Renewable Energy Laboratory, Golden, CO, 80401.
Michael E
ME
Himmel
1] Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, Northeastern University, Boston, MA 02115 [2] Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology, Northeastern University, Boston, MA 02115.
Lee
L
Makowski
D006868:Hydrolysis; D008031:Lignin / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000648:ultrastructure; D003313:Zea mays / Q000737:chemistry*
C036909:lignocellulose; D008031:Lignin