Article
Agricultural Engineering
Italo Pisano, Lalitha Gottumukkala, Daniel J. Hayes, James J. Leahy
Summary: Accurate composition analysis of biomass is essential in determining its potential uses and processing methods. This study focused on assessing lignocellulosic constituents in forestry, agricultural, and underutilised waste residues, with emphasis on hemicellulose monomers. Variations were observed in structural sugars content, hemicellulose concentration, and composition among different feedstock types and fractions.
INDUSTRIAL CROPS AND PRODUCTS
(2021)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Antonio M. Borrero-Lopez, Concepcion Valencia, David Ibarra, Ignacio Ballesteros, Jose M. Franco
Summary: This study explores the potential of using lignin-enriched waste products from bioethanol production as thickeners for lubricating greases. The content of lignin and hydroxyl ratio were found to influence the NCO-functionalization and rheological response of the resulting oleogels, with barley straw residues exhibiting the highest storage modulus.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF BIOLOGICAL MACROMOLECULES
(2022)
Article
Materials Science, Paper & Wood
Haiyan Yang, Yuanchen Zhu, Yan Jin, Fuhou Lei, Zhengjun Shi, Jing Yang
Summary: Pseudo-lignin derived from the condensation of carbohydrate degradation products can affect the hydrophobicity of substrates and their accessibility for bioconversion. Degradation of xylans during pretreatment enhances the bioconversion of substrates, while high-temperature acid pretreatment results in excessive pseudo-lignin generation and decreased ethanol yields.
Review
Agricultural Engineering
Jitendra Kumar, Himanshu, Hemansi, Amanjot Kaur, Aayush Mathur
Summary: Global interest in lignocellulosic biorefineries has increased due to sustainable technological advancements. However, enzymatic hydrolysis in biorefinery operations faces challenges that limit cost-effectiveness.
BIORESOURCE TECHNOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Agricultural Engineering
Mingyang Hu, Lin Yuan, Ziyuan Cai, Weihua Zhang, Qiang Fu, Dandan Ji
Summary: In this study, a new pretreatment method combining ammonia fiber expansion (AFEX) and deep eutectic solvent (DES) was developed for the rapid separation of wheat straw fractions. The AFEX-assisted DES pretreatment significantly reduced pretreatment time and improved pretreatment efficiency. The study also investigated the enzymatic effect of cellulose on glucose generation.
BIORESOURCE TECHNOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Aline Vianna Bernardi, Luis Eduardo Gerolamo, Paula Fagundes de Gouvea, Deborah Kimie Yonamine, Lucas Matheus Soares Pereira, Arthur Henrique Cavalcante de Oliveira, Sergio Akira Uyemura, Taisa Magnani Dinamarco
Summary: The cellulose-active enzymes secreted by Aspergillus fumigatus play a crucial role in degrading lignocellulosic biomass, although some combinations of enzymes may inhibit each other. However, adding these enzymes to a cellulase cocktail can enhance the saccharification of complex substrates and increase the yield of fermentable sugars.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2021)
Review
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
Yufeng Yuan, Bo Jiang, Hui Chen, Wenjuan Wu, Shufang Wu, Yongcan Jin, Huining Xiao
Summary: Enzymatic hydrolysis of lignocellulose for bioethanol production has great potential, but the presence of lignin inhibits the process. Pretreatment methods can remove lignin and improve enzymatic digestibility. Researchers are focusing on exploring the relationship between lignin structure and lignin-enzyme interactions to enhance saccharification efficiency.
BIOTECHNOLOGY FOR BIOFUELS
(2021)
Article
Energy & Fuels
Yang Yang, Jikai Zhao, Meng Zhang, Donghai Wang
Summary: Cellulosic bioethanol is produced from non-food biomass feedstocks via biochemical conversion. The leftover lignin in this process can be used to produce solid fuel pellets, which can enhance the overall process economy. This study evaluated the physical, thermochemical, and hygroscopic properties of solid fuel pellets made from corn stover hydrolysis residue. The addition of hydrolysis residue improved pellet durability, mechanical properties, energy density, thermal properties, and water resistance.
Article
Green & Sustainable Science & Technology
Jesus David Coral Medina, Fabio Bolanos Alomia, Antonio Irineudo Magalhaes Jr, Julio Cesar de Carvalho, Adenise Lorenci Woiciechowsky, Carlos Ricardo Soccol
Summary: The study proposes a biorefinery configuration for the co-production of ethanol, xylitol, lignin, and cellulose acetate from lignocellulosic biomass, analyzing economic viability and environmental impact in low sugarcane availability scenarios. Results showed that ethanol, xylitol, and cellulose acetate production can be economically viable only if lignin is considered as a product. Additionally, the carbon capture capacity of about 400 kg per tonne of sugarcane included in the process was determined.
JOURNAL OF CLEANER PRODUCTION
(2021)
Article
Green & Sustainable Science & Technology
Meishan Fan, Ming Lei, Jun Xie, Hongdan Zhang
Summary: This study comprehensively evaluated the effect of residual lignin and its structural modification on enzymatic hydrolysis and fermentation of pretreated sugarcane bagasse. The results showed that alkali and alkaline hydrogen peroxide (AHP) pretreatment had different effects on lignin dissolution. PEG 6000-assisted pretreatment was found to stabilize enzymatic activity and promote enzymatic digestibility and fermentability. The structural features of the residual lignin were also analyzed to understand the changes caused by the pretreatments and their impact on enzymatic hydrolysis and fermentation.
Article
Agricultural Engineering
Forough Momayez, Mattias Hedenstrom, Stefan Stagge, Leif J. Jonsson, Carlos Martin
Summary: In this study, hydrolysis lignin was extracted using the green solvent gamma-valerolactone (GVL), and it was found that mixtures containing sulfuric acid resulted in higher solubilization and regeneration rates. Characterization of the regenerated lignins revealed that treatment temperature had a significant impact on molecular weight, with SA-GVL lignins exhibiting higher and broader distribution of molecular weight.
BIORESOURCE TECHNOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Agricultural Engineering
Cristina Alvarez, Alberto Gonzalez, Ignacio Ballesteros, Maria Jose Negro
Summary: Through steam explosion pretreatment of barley straw, different enzyme combinations were utilized for valorization of hemicellulose fraction to produce XOS. The solid fraction was then used for bioethanol production through presaccharification and simultaneous saccharification and fermentation process.
BIORESOURCE TECHNOLOGY
(2021)
Review
Environmental Sciences
Mani Jayakumar, Gadissa Tokuma Gindaba, Kaleab Bizuneh Gebeyehu, Selvakumar Periyasamy, Abdisa Jabesa, Gurunathan Baskar, Beula Isabel John, Arivalagan Pugazhendhi
Summary: Bioenergy is gaining popularity as a renewable energy source, offering potential solutions to rising energy costs and providing income opportunities for disadvantaged farmers and rural populations worldwide. Bioethanol derived from agricultural residual-biomass presents unique environmental, socioeconomic, and strategic benefits, serving as a safe and cleaner alternative to traditional fossil fuels. Significant progress has been made towards efficient fuel ethanol production from agricultural lignocellulosic materials (ALCM), utilizing pretreatment, enzymes, and fermentation techniques. The review also discusses the state of ALCM-based bioethanol production methods, facilitating proper utilization of agricultural leftovers.
SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT
(2023)
Article
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
William Gustavo Sganzerla, Daniel Lachos-Perez, Luz Selene Buller, Giovani L. Zabot, Tania Forster-Carneiro
Summary: A cost analysis of subcritical water pretreatment (SCWP) of sugarcane by-products for ethanol production was conducted, revealing the need for significant technical improvement before scaling up to industrial scale, as the current cost is approximately 10-fold higher than the market price for ethanol in Brazil.
BIOFUELS BIOPRODUCTS & BIOREFINING-BIOFPR
(2022)
Article
Agricultural Engineering
Min Zhou, Meiqi Lv, Sulin Cai, Xingjun Tian
Summary: DESs were synthesized and evaluated for their physicochemical properties. Herbaceous and woody lignocellulose biomass were selected as substrates for pretreatment. Microstructural changes of pretreated lignocellulose were analyzed using SEM, FT-IR, and XRD. The efficient delignification increased enzyme accessibility to cellulose, while lignin content negatively affected enzymatic hydrolysis conversion. GPC analysis showed a reduction in sulfonated lignin polydispersity after pretreatment.
INDUSTRIAL CROPS AND PRODUCTS
(2023)
Article
Microbiology
Maite Loperena-Barber, Mammar Khames, Sebastien O. Leclercq, Michel S. Zygmunt, Esteban D. Babot, Amaia Zuniga-Ripa, Ana Gutierrez, Mustapha Oumouna, Ignacio Moriyon, Axel Cloeckaert, Raquel Conde-Alvarez
Summary: Three similar strains of rod-shaped bacteria were isolated from lymph nodes of Algerian cows. Through genetic, fatty acid, and lipid analysis, they were identified as a new species belonging to the genus Pseudochrobactrum. These strains showed genetic, physiological, and biochemical differences from previously described species. Therefore, they were named Pseudochrobactrum algeriensis sp. nov.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF SYSTEMATIC AND EVOLUTIONARY MICROBIOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Plant Sciences
Anurag Kashyap, Alvaro Luis Jimenez-Jimenez, Weiqi Zhang, Montserrat Capellades, Sumithra Srinivasan, Anna Laromaine, Olga Serra, Merce Figueras, Jorge Rencoret, Ana Gutierrez, Marc Valls, Nuria S. Coll
Summary: Tomato varieties resistant to the bacterial wilt pathogen can restrict bacterial movement by forming vascular coatings composed of ligno-suberin and tyramine-derived hydroxycinnamic acid amides. Overexpressing genes of the ligno-suberin pathway in susceptible tomato varieties enhances resistance to the pathogen.
Article
Plant Sciences
Jorge Rencoret, Mario J. Rosado, Hoon Kim, Vitaliy Timokhin, Ana Gutierrez, Florian Bausch, Thomas Rosenau, Antje Potthast, John Ralph, Jose C. del Rio
Summary: Recent studies have shown that polyphenolic compounds from non-canonical pathways can act as lignin monomers and be incorporated into lignin structures. Papyrus lignin is the only known lignin to incorporate a diverse range of phenolic compounds from different classes of flavonoids. This discovery opens up new possibilities for designing lignins with specific properties and enhanced value.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Andres Olmedo, Rene Ullrich, Martin Hofrichter, Jose C. del Rio, Angel T. Martinez, Ana Gutierrez
Summary: Unspecific peroxygenases (UPOs) are extracellular enzymes capable of oxygenating various aliphatic and aromatic substrates using peroxide. Recent study shows that rCciUPO and AaeUPO can shorten the chain length of both saturated and unsaturated fatty acids in a different manner compared to other UPOs.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Dolores Linde, Elena Santillana, Elena Fernandez-Fueyo, Alejandro Gonzalez-Benjumea, Juan Carro, Ana Gutierrez, Angel T. Martinez, Antonio Romero
Summary: This study successfully crystallized two UPO enzymes, rMroUPO and rCviUPO, from different fungal groups through sequence optimization and Escherichia coli expression, revealing their crystal structures and dimeric protein characteristics.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Dolores Linde, Alejandro Gonzalez-Benjumea, Carmen Aranda, Juan Carro, Ana Gutierrez, Angel T. Martinez
Summary: Vegetable oils are valuable renewable resources for the production of bio-based chemicals and intermediates. Enzymes can be used as environmentally friendly alternatives to chemical catalysis in the epoxidation reactions of vegetable oils. By engineering the active site of the enzyme and optimizing the process, the epoxidation yield can be significantly enhanced.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Esteban D. Babot, Carmen Aranda, Jan Kiebist, Katrin Scheibner, Rene Ullrich, Martin Hofrichter, Angel T. Martinez, Ana Gutierrez
Summary: Terminal alkenes are attractive starting materials for synthesizing epoxides, which are crucial intermediate building blocks in various industries. Researchers have explored the use of unspecific peroxygenases (UPOs) as biocatalysts for selectively epoxidizing terminal alkenes. Several UPOs have demonstrated the ability to catalyze the epoxidation of long-chain terminal alkenes with different selectivities and turnover rates. This approach offers a green and potential alternative to existing synthesis technologies.
Article
Plant Sciences
Mario J. Rosado, Gisela Marques, Jorge Rencoret, Ana Gutierrez, Florian Bausch, Thomas Rosenau, Antje Potthast, Jose C. del Rio
Summary: In this study, the lipid content and chemical composition of papyrus stems were analyzed, revealing the presence of valuable phytochemicals. The rind contained mainly n-fatty acids and steroid compounds, while the pith consisted primarily of steroids and fatty acids. The diverse and abundant compounds identified in papyrus make it a potential raw material for biorefineries.
FRONTIERS IN PLANT SCIENCE
(2022)
Article
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
Patricia Ferreira, Juan Carro, Beatriz Balcells, Angel T. Martinez, Ana Serrano
Summary: In this study, the quinone reductase activity in three AAO flavooxidases was analyzed, with O-2 as the preferred oxidizing substrate. The results suggest that the aryl-alcohol dehydrogenase activity of these enzymes, although less significant than their oxidase activity, may play a physiological role in fungal decay of lignocellulose by preventing repolymerization through the reduction of quinones. These findings expand the understanding of the role of AAO in lignin biodegradation.
APPLIED AND ENVIRONMENTAL MICROBIOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Polymer Science
Mario J. Rosado, Jorge Rencoret, Ana Gutierrez, Jose C. del Rio
Summary: The lignin structure of orange tree pruning (OTP) residue was examined. The OTP-MWL mainly consisted of guaiacyl (G) units with minor amounts of syringyl (S) and p-hydroxyphenyl (H) units. The lignin contained various linkages, including beta-O-4 ' alkyl-aryl ethers, phenylcoumarans, resinols, dibenzodioxocins, and spirodienones. The presence of condensed linkages makes the lignocellulosic residue more recalcitrant to delignification.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Hoon Kim, Jorge Rencoret, Thomas J. Elder, Jose C. del Rio, John Ralph
Summary: In this study, various artificial copolymers of monolignols and hydroxystilbenes were synthesized and characterized to investigate their incorporation into the lignin polymer. The copolymerization of hydroxystilbenes with monolignols, using peroxidases as catalysts, significantly improved the reactivity of monolignols and resulted in the formation of synthetic lignins. Analysis using NMR and model compounds confirmed the involvement of hydroxystilbenes in the oxidative radical coupling reactions during polymerization.
Article
Polymer Science
David Rodriguez-Escribano, Felipe de Salas, Rocio Pliego, Gisela Marques, Thomas Levee, Anu Suonpaa, Ana Gutierrez, angel T. Martinez, Petri Ihalainen, Jorge Rencoret, Susana Camarero
Summary: Lignins released in black liquors from kraft pulp mills are a valuable but underutilized source of aromatics. Enzymatic depolymerization of kraft lignins using alkaliphilic fungal laccases has been made possible by our recent enzyme-directed evolution approach, which generated laccases with high activity and stability at pH 10. Our study demonstrates the ability of these tailor-made laccases to oxidize, demethylate, and depolymerize eucalyptus kraft lignin at pH 10. However, in high enzyme and lignin concentrations, repolymerization of the oxidized products becomes dominant. To overcome this, we successfully conducted the enzymatic reaction in a bench-scale reactor coupled to a membrane separation system.