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Structural and chemical properties of grass lignocelluloses related to conversion for biofuels

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Journal of Industrial Microbiology & Biotechnology

Abstract

Grass lignocelluloses, such as those in corn and switchgrass, are a major resource in the emerging cellulose-to-ethanol strategy for biofuels. The potential bioconversion of carbohydrates in this potential resource, however, is limited by the associated aromatic constituents within the grass fiber. These aromatics include both lignins, which are phenylpropanoid units of various types, and low-molecular weight phenolic acids. Structural and chemical studies over the years have identified the location and limitation to fiber degradation imposed by a variety of these aromatic barriers. For example, coniferyl lignin appears to be the most effective limitation to biodegradation, existing in xylem cells of vascular tissues. On the other hand, cell walls with syringyl lignin, e.g., leaf sclerenchyma, are often less recalcitrant. Ferulic and p-coumaric acids that are esterified to hemicellulosic sugars constitute a major limitation to biodegradation in non-lignified cell walls in grass fibers, especially warm season species. Non-chemical methods to improve bioconversion of the lignocelluloses through modification of aromatics include: (1) use of lignin-degrading white rot fungi, (2) pretreatment with phenolic acid esterases, and (3) plant breeding to modify cell wall aromatics. In addition to increased availability of carbohydrates for fermentation, separation and collection of aromatics could provide value-added co-products to improve the economics of bioconversion.

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Acknowledgments

The author of this review is indebted to many colleagues who undertook major parts of this the work or had a significant influence on the data and interpretations: (Russell Research Center) Roy D. Hartley for chemistry of cell walls, W. H. Morrison III for chemical analyses, W. S. Borneman for esterase studies, F. E. Barton II and D. S. Himmelsbach for spectroscopy and chemistry of fibers, and L. L. Rigsby for excellent technical support; (University of Georgia) K.-E. L. Eriksson for contributions on white-rot fungi, and L. G. Ljungdahl for contributions on enzymes; D. Wubah for work on anaerobic fungi; (ARS-USDA, Peoria, IL, and the University of Georgia) B. S. Dien and J. D. Peterson for ethanol conversion analyses; (ARS-USDA, Tifton, GA, USA) W. W. Hanna for work on bermudagrasses. Mention of trade names does not constitute an endorsement of one commercial product over another but is used only for identification purposes.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Coastal Plain Experiment Station, ARS-USDA, Tifton, GA, USA

    William F. Anderson

  2. Russell Research Center, ARS-USDA, Athens, GA, USA

    Danny E. Akin

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  1. William F. Anderson
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  2. Danny E. Akin
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Correspondence to William F. Anderson.

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JIMB-2008: BioEnergy—Special issue.

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Anderson, W.F., Akin, D.E. Structural and chemical properties of grass lignocelluloses related to conversion for biofuels. J Ind Microbiol Biotechnol 35, 355–366 (2008). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10295-007-0291-8

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