Lytic polysaccharide monooxygenases (LPMOs) producing microbes: A novel approach for rapid recycling of agricultural wastes

Out of the huge quantity of agricultural wastes produced globally, rice straw is one of the most abundant ligno-cellulosic waste. For efficient utilization of these wastes, several cost-effective biological processes are available. The practice of field level in-situ or ex-situ decomposition of rice straw is having less degree of adoption due to its poor decomposition ability within a short time span between rice harvest and sowing of the next crop. Agricul-tural wastes including rice straw are in general utilized by using lignocellulose degrading microbes for industrial metabolite or compost production. However, bioconversion of crystalline cellulose and lignin present in the waste, into simple molecules is a challenging task. To resolve this issue, researchers have identified a novel new generation microbial enzyme i.e., lytic polysaccharide monooxygenases (LPMOs) and reported that the combination of LPMOs with other glycolytic enzymes are found efficient. This review explains the progress made in LPMOs and their role in lignocellulose bioconversion and the possibility of exploring LPMOs producers for rapid decomposition of agricultural wastes. Also, it provides insights to identify the knowledge gaps in im-proving the potential of the existing ligno-cellulolytic microbial consortium for efficient utilization of agricultural wastes at industrial and field levels. (c) 2021 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Automated summary

Rice straw, a highly abundant ligno-cellulosic waste globally, presents challenges in efficient utilization. The discovery of a novel microbial enzyme, LPMOs, and its combination with other glycolytic enzymes shows promise in improving bioconversion efficiency. Researchers are working on exploring LPMOs producers for rapid decomposition of agricultural wastes.