Engineering Plant Biomass Lignin Content and Composition for Biofuels and Bioproducts

Cassie Marie Welker, Vimal Kumar Balasubramanian, Carloalberto Petti, Krishan Mohan Rai, Seth DeBolt and Venugopal Mendu
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Cassie Marie Welker: Fiber and Biopolymer Research Institute, Department of Plant & Soil Science, Texas Tech University, 2802 15th Street, Lubbock, TX 79409, USA
Vimal Kumar Balasubramanian: Fiber and Biopolymer Research Institute, Department of Plant & Soil Science, Texas Tech University, 2802 15th Street, Lubbock, TX 79409, USA
Carloalberto Petti: Department of Science and Health, Carlow Institute of Technology, Kilkenny Rd, Carlow R93V960, Ireland
Krishan Mohan Rai: Fiber and Biopolymer Research Institute, Department of Plant & Soil Science, Texas Tech University, 2802 15th Street, Lubbock, TX 79409, USA
Seth DeBolt: Department of Horticulture, University of Kentucky, 1100 Nicholasville Road, Lexington, KY 40546, USA
Venugopal Mendu: Fiber and Biopolymer Research Institute, Department of Plant & Soil Science, Texas Tech University, 2802 15th Street, Lubbock, TX 79409, USA

Energies, 2015, vol. 8, issue 8, 1-23

Abstract: Lignin is an aromatic biopolymer involved in providing structural support to plant cell walls. Compared to the other cell wall polymers, i.e. , cellulose and hemicelluloses, lignin has been considered a hindrance in cellulosic bioethanol production due to the complexity involved in its separation from other polymers of various biomass feedstocks. Nevertheless, lignin is a potential source of valuable aromatic chemical compounds and upgradable building blocks. Though the biosynthetic pathway of lignin has been elucidated in great detail, the random nature of the polymerization (free radical coupling) process poses challenges for its depolymerization into valuable bioproducts. The absence of specific methodologies for lignin degradation represents an important opportunity for research and development. This review highlights research development in lignin biosynthesis, lignin genetic engineering and different biological and chemical means of depolymerization used to convert lignin into biofuels and bioproducts.

Keywords: plant cell wall; lignocellulose; lignin; depolymerization; genetic engineering; degradation; pyrolysis; hydrogenolysis (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: Q Q0 Q4 Q40 Q41 Q42 Q43 Q47 Q48 Q49 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2015
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (16)

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