Lignocellulose biodegradation: Fundamentals and applications

Abstract

Lignocelluloses are the building blocks of allplants and are ubiquitous to most regions ofour planet. Their chemical properties make it asubstrate of enormous biotechnological value.The basic chemistry of cellulose,hemicellulose, and lignin has a profound effecton lignocellulose tertiary architecture. Theseintricate associations constitute physical andchemical barriers to lignocellulose utilizationand biodegradation in natural and man-madeenvironments. Overcoming these barriers is thekey to unlocking the commercial potential oflignocellulose. Understanding lignocellulosedegradation under natural conditions forms thebasis of any lignocellulose-based application.A variety of microorganisms and mechanisms areinvolved in the complete biodegradation oflignocellulose in natural environments rangingfrom soil and rumen ecosystems to the termitehindgut. The primary objective oflignocellulose pretreatment by the variousindustries is to access the potential of thecellulose and hemicellulose encrusted by ligninwithin the lignocellulose matrix. Currentworking technologies based on the principles ofsolid-state fermentation (SSF) are brieflyreviewed. The use of unsterile lignocellulosicsfor bioremediation purposes holds promise forcost-effective environmental clean-upendeavors. Novel lignocellulose-basedapplications have found functionality intextile, biological control, and medicalresearch fields and might be exploited there inthe near future. Ultimately, lignocellulosewill probably accompany man to his voyages intospace for interest in this field isintensifying. Therefore, proper management oflignocellulose biodegradation and utilizationcan serve to improve the quality of theenvironment, further man's understanding of theuniverse, and ultimately change local economiesand communities.