title: Altered lignin biosynthesis using biotechnology to improve lignocellulosic biofuel feedstocks.
abstract: Lignocellulosic feedstocks can be converted to biofuels, which can conceivably replace a large fraction of fossil fuels currently used for transformation. However, lignin, a prominent constituent of secondary cell walls, is an impediment to the conversion of cell walls to fuel: the recalcitrance problem. Biomass pretreatment for removing lignin is the most expensive step in the production of lignocellulosic biofuels. Even though we have learned a great deal about the biosynthesis of lignin, we do not fully understand its role in plant biology, which is needed for the rational design of engineered cell walls for lignocellulosic feedstocks. This review will recapitulate our knowledge of lignin biosynthesis and discuss how lignin has been modified and the consequences for the host plant.
authors: Department of Plant Sciences, University of Tennessee, Knoxville, TN, USA; Oak Ridge National Laboratory, BioEnergy Science Center, Oak Ridge, TN, USA.
authors: Charleson R
authors: CR
authors: Poovaiah
authors: Madhugiri
authors: M
authors: Nageswara-Rao
authors: Jaya R
authors: JR
authors: Soneji
authors: Holly L
authors: HL
authors: Baxter
authors: Charles N
authors: CN
authors: Stewart
mesh_terms: D056804:Biofuels; D018533:Biomass; D001709:Biotechnology / Q000379:methods*; D008031:Lignin / Q000096:biosynthesis* / Q000737:chemistry / Q000378:metabolism; D010944:Plants / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D056804:Biofuels; C036909:lignocellulose; D008031:Lignin
keywords: bioenergy; biomass; fermentable sugars; genetic manipulation; lignin biosynthetic pathway; transcription factors