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Biofuels pp 223–235Cite as

Genetic Modification of Lignin Biosynthesis for Improved Biofuel Production

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Abstract

The energy in cellulosic biomass largely resides in plant cell walls. Cellulosic biomass is more difficult than starch to break down into sugars because of the presence of lignin and the complex structure of cell walls. Transgenic down-regulation of major lignin genes led to reduced lignin content, increased dry matter degradability, and improved accessibility of cellulases for cellulose degradation. This review provides background information on lignin biosynthesis and focuses on genetic manipulation of lignin genes in important monocot species as well as the dicot potential biofuel crop alfalfa. Reduction of lignin in biofuel crops by genetic engineering is likely one of the most effective ways of reducing costs associated with pretreatment and hydrolysis of cellulosic feedstocks, although some potential fitness issues should also be addressed.

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Acknowledgments

This work was supported by the BioEnergy Science Center and the Samuel Roberts Noble Foundation. The BioEnergy Science Center is supported by the Office of Biological and Environmental Research in the DOE Office of Science.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Forage Improvement Division, The Samuel Roberts Noble Foundation, 2510 Sam Noble Parkway, Ardmore, OK, 73401, USA

    Zeng-Yu Wang

  2. BioEnergy Science Center (BESC), Oak Ridge, TN, 37831, USA

    Zeng-Yu Wang

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  1. Hiroshi Hisano
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  2. Rangaraj Nandakumar
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  3. Zeng-Yu Wang
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Correspondence to Zeng-Yu Wang .

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Editors and Affiliations

  1. , Crop Genetics Research and Development, Dupont Agriculture and Nutrition, PO Box 552, Johnston, 50131, Iowa, USA

    Dwight Tomes

  2. Meiers Road 50, Indooroopilly, QLD, 4068, Australia

    Prakash Lakshmanan

  3. Monsanto, N. Lindbergh Blvd. 800, St. Louis, 63167, Missouri, USA

    David Songstad

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Hisano, H., Nandakumar, R., Wang, ZY. (2011). Genetic Modification of Lignin Biosynthesis for Improved Biofuel Production. In: Tomes, D., Lakshmanan, P., Songstad, D. (eds) Biofuels. Springer, New York, NY. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4419-7145-6_12

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