Differences in S/G ratio in natural poplar variants do not predict catalytic depolymerization monomer yields

Eric M. Anderson, Michael L. Stone, Rui Katahira, Michelle Reed, Wellington Muchero, Kelsey J. Ramirez, Gregg T. Beckham () and Yuriy Román-Leshkov ()
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Eric M. Anderson: Massachusetts Institute of Technology
Michael L. Stone: Massachusetts Institute of Technology
Rui Katahira: National Renewable Energy Laboratory
Michelle Reed: National Renewable Energy Laboratory
Wellington Muchero: Oak Ridge National Laboratory
Kelsey J. Ramirez: National Renewable Energy Laboratory
Gregg T. Beckham: National Renewable Energy Laboratory
Yuriy Román-Leshkov: Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Nature Communications, 2019, vol. 10, issue 1, 1-10

Abstract: Abstract The ratio of syringyl (S) and guaiacyl (G) units in lignin has been regarded as a major factor in determining the maximum monomer yield from lignin depolymerization. This limit arises from the notion that G units are prone to C-C bond formation during lignin biosynthesis, resulting in less ether linkages that generate monomers. This study uses reductive catalytic fractionation (RCF) in flow-through reactors as an analytical tool to depolymerize lignin in poplar with naturally varying S/G ratios, and directly challenges the common conception that the S/G ratio predicts monomer yields. Rather, this work suggests that the plant controls C-O and C-C bond content by regulating monomer transport during lignin biosynthesis. Overall, our results indicate that additional factors beyond the monomeric composition of native lignin are important in developing a fundamental understanding of lignin biosynthesis.

Date: 2019
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DOI: 10.1038/s41467-019-09986-1

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