Abstract
Processing of fossil fuels is the major environmental issue today. Biomass utilization for the production of chemicals presents an alternative to simple energy generation by burning. Lignocellulosic biomass (cellulose, hemicellulose and lignin) is abundant and has been used for variety of purposes. Among them, lignin polymer having phenyl-propanoid subunits linked together either through C-C bonds or ether linkages can produce chemicals. It can be depolymerized by fungi using their enzyme machinery (laccases and peroxidases). Both acetic acid and formic acid production by certain fungi contribute significantly to lignin depolymerization. Fungal natural organic acids production is thought to have many key roles in nature depending upon the type of fungi producing them. Biological conversion of lignocellulosic biomass is beneficial over physiochemical processes. Laccases, copper containing proteins oxidize a broad spectrum of inorganic as well as organic compounds but most specifically phenolic compounds by radical catalyzed mechanism. Similarly, lignin peroxidases (LiP), heme containing proteins perform a vital part in oxidizing a wide variety of aromatic compounds with H2O2. Lignin depolymerization yields value-added compounds, the important ones are aromatics and phenols as well as certain polymers like polyurethane and carbon fibers. Thus, this review will provide a concept that biological modifications of lignin using acidophilic fungi can generate certain value added and environmentally friendly chemicals.
Highlights
The processing as well as the extraction of fossil fuels are the major prevailing environmental issues it is the utmost need of the time to decrease the fossil fuels consumption as much as possible
Other technologies are under development to fractionate the plant cell wall into its constituent wall into its constituent polymers with novel solvents such as ionic liquids [35,36,37] or organic solvents (Organosolv processes) that typically utilize acid as well to depolymerize some of the lignin and hemicellulose [38,39,40]
Pulping of lignocellulose by formic acid is effective for delignification when formic acid concentration is higher than 80%, but delignification is inadequate at formic acid strength below
Summary
The processing as well as the extraction of fossil fuels are the major prevailing environmental issues it is the utmost need of the time to decrease the fossil fuels consumption as much as possible. The only reliable solution to this major issue is to replace the petroleum products with less costly and environmentally friendly (green) chemicals. Biomass is gaining much attention these days for being a renewable carbon source for chemicals, materials and energy production and acting as a resource to produce green products and replace fossil fuels that are decreasing day by day [2,3]. Among the plant derived raw materials, lignocellulosic biomass is most abundant and consists of three macromolecular constituents, cellulose, hemicellulose and lignin that constitutes plant cell walls.
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
