Research abstract

Brief Communications abstract


Nature Biotechnology 25, 759 - 761 (2007)
Published online: 17 June 2007 | doi:10.1038/nbt1316

Lignin modification improves fermentable sugar yields for biofuel production

Fang Chen1 & Richard A Dixon1

Top

Recalcitrance to saccharification is a major limitation for conversion of lignocellulosic biomass to ethanol. In stems of transgenic alfalfa lines independently downregulated in each of six lignin biosynthetic enzymes, recalcitrance to both acid pretreatment and enzymatic digestion is directly proportional to lignin content. Some transgenics yield nearly twice as much sugar from cell walls as wild-type plants. Lignin modification could bypass the need for acid pretreatment and thereby facilitate bioprocess consolidation.

Top
  1. Plant Biology Division, Samuel Roberts Noble Foundation, 2510 Sam Noble Parkway, Ardmore, Oklahoma 73401, USA.

Correspondence to: Richard A Dixon1 e-mail: radixon@noble.org

Correspondence to: Fang Chen1 e-mail: fchen@noble.org

MORE ARTICLES LIKE THIS

These links to content published by NPG are automatically generated.

NEWS AND VIEWS

Loosening lignin's grip on biofuel production

Nature Biotechnology News and Views (01 Jul 2007)


Extra navigation

Search PubMed for

naturejobs

natureproducts


ADVERTISEMENT