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Abstract
Lignin is an aromatic biopolymer involved in providing structural support to plant cell walls. Compared to the other cell wall polymers, i.e., cellulose and hemicelluloses, lignin has been considered a hindrance in cellulosic bioethanol production due to the complexity involved in its separation from other polymers of various biomass feedstocks. Nevertheless, lignin is a potential source of valuable aromatic chemical compounds and upgradable building blocks. Though the biosynthetic pathway of lignin has been elucidated in great detail, the random nature of the polymerization (free radical coupling) process poses challenges for its depolymerization into valuable bioproducts. The absence of specific methodologies for lignin degradation represents an important opportunity for research and development. This review highlights research development in lignin biosynthesis, lignin genetic engineering and different biological and chemical means of depolymerization used to convert lignin into biofuels and bioproducts.
Highlights
Chemical resources are in continuous demand by developed and developing countries alike, and it is estimated that there will be a 50% increase in consumption of plant resources for food and fuel by2050 [1,2]
Though there is considerable progress in the lignin biosynthetic pathway, the lignin composition and content could not be altered without any negative consequences
By expressing novel microbial enzymes in plants, the nature of monomers involved in lignin polymerization can be altered, thereby reducing the molecular weight of lignin without compromising the biomass yield [72]
Summary
Chemical resources are in continuous demand by developed and developing countries alike, and it is estimated that there will be a 50% increase in consumption of plant resources for food and fuel by. The word biofuel encompasses a variety of transportation fuels such as bioethanol, butanol, biooil and biodiesel Though all of these biofuels are derived from plant material, the source of raw material (biomass or seeds) and the production processes are different. In the context of the biofuel industry, represents any biomass that is used as a raw material for the production of biofuels Plant organs such as fruits, seeds, and tubers, from various crops such as rapeseed, corn, sunflower, soybean, cotton and palm that store simpler starch and lipids, were used for first-generation ethanol and biodiesel production (Figure 1). Though this type of agricultural waste represents a great source of lignocellulosic material, pelleting and transportation are major concerns High density feedstocks such as the drupe fruit endocarps (shells) of olives, eastern black walnut and coconut have the highest lignin content of all known plant organs, and the energy derived from the endocarp is comparable to coal [16]. A complete understanding of the lignin biosynthetic pathway, including the underlying regulatory mechanisms, is essential for efficiently engineering and harnessing the energy stored in lignocellulosic material
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