Journal
SCIENCE
Volume 344, Issue 6185, Pages 709-+Publisher
AMER ASSOC ADVANCEMENT SCIENCE
DOI: 10.1126/science.1246843
Keywords
-
Categories
Funding
- U.S. Department of Energy (DOE)
- Genomic Science Program, Office of Biological and Environmental Research, DOE [FWP ERKP752]
- DOE BioEnergy Technologies Office through American Recovery and Reinvestment Act Funds
- DOE
- BioEnergy Science Center (BESC)
- Office of Biological and Environmental Research in the DOE Office of Science
Ask authors/readers for more resources
Research and development activities directed toward commercial production of cellulosic ethanol have created the opportunity to dramatically increase the transformation of lignin to value-added products. Here, we highlight recent advances in this lignin valorization effort. Discovery of genetic variants in native populations of bioenergy crops and direct manipulation of biosynthesis pathways have produced lignin feedstocks with favorable properties for recovery and downstream conversion. Advances in analytical chemistry and computational modeling detail the structure of the modified lignin and direct bioengineering strategies for future targeted properties. Refinement of biomass pretreatment technologies has further facilitated lignin recovery, and this coupled with genetic engineering will enable new uses for this biopolymer, including low-cost carbon fibers, engineered plastics and thermoplastic elastomers, polymeric foams, fungible fuels, and commodity chemicals.
Authors
I am an author on this paper
Click your name to claim this paper and add it to your profile.
Reviews
Recommended
No Data Available