Carbohydrate-aromatic interface and molecular architecture of lignocellulose

Alex Kirui, Wancheng Zhao, Fabien Deligey, Hui Yang, Xue Kang, Frederic Mentink-Vigier and Tuo Wang ()
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Alex Kirui: Louisiana State University
Wancheng Zhao: Louisiana State University
Fabien Deligey: Louisiana State University
Hui Yang: Pennsylvania State University
Xue Kang: Louisiana State University
Frederic Mentink-Vigier: National High Magnetic Field Laboratory
Tuo Wang: Louisiana State University

Nature Communications, 2022, vol. 13, issue 1, 1-12

Abstract: Abstract Plant cell walls constitute the majority of lignocellulosic biomass and serve as a renewable resource of biomaterials and biofuel. Extensive interactions between polysaccharides and the aromatic polymer lignin make lignocellulose recalcitrant to enzymatic hydrolysis, but this polymer network remains poorly understood. Here we interrogate the nanoscale assembly of lignocellulosic components in plant stems using solid-state nuclear magnetic resonance and dynamic nuclear polarization approaches. We show that the extent of glycan-aromatic association increases sequentially across grasses, hardwoods, and softwoods. Lignin principally packs with the xylan in a non-flat conformation via non-covalent interactions and partially binds the junction of flat-ribbon xylan and cellulose surface as a secondary site. All molecules are homogeneously mixed in softwoods; this unique feature enables water retention even around the hydrophobic aromatics. These findings unveil the principles of polymer interactions underlying the heterogeneous architecture of lignocellulose, which may guide the rational design of more digestible plants and more efficient biomass-conversion pathways.

Date: 2022
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DOI: 10.1038/s41467-022-28165-3

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