Review
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
Hai-Na Lan, Ruo-Ying Liu, Zhi-Hua Liu, Xia Li, Bing-Zhi Li, Ying-Jin Yuan
Summary: This review examines a novel valorization route for lignin to high-value natural products, particularly flavonoids, through microbial bioconversion. It summarizes the biodegradation of lignin and identifies aromatic monomers as important precursors for flavonoid synthesis. The biosynthesis pathways of flavonoids in plants and strains are compared and the key branch points and important intermediates in these pathways are discussed. The most significant enzyme reactions in the biosynthesis of flavonoids, such as Claisen condensation, cyclization, and hydroxylation, are also demonstrated. Current challenges and potential future strategies for transforming lignin into flavonoids are addressed.
BIOTECHNOLOGY ADVANCES
(2023)
Review
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
Yongli Wang, Cunjin Gui, Jiangyan Wu, Xing Gao, Ting Huang, Fengjie Cui, Huan Liu, Sivasamy Sethupathy
Summary: Lignin is crucial for plant growth, stress resistance, and water transport, but is difficult to utilize for biofuel production. Recent research has uncovered the complex regulatory mechanisms of lignin biosynthesis, providing new approaches for modifying lignin without causing growth abnormalities. This review explores the use of specific transcriptional regulators to modify lignin biosynthesis at different levels, focusing on the precise control of lignin synthesis using specific promoters and functional or regulatory genes for biomass production with desired properties.
FRONTIERS IN BIOENGINEERING AND BIOTECHNOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Laura Berstis, Thomas Elder, Richard Dixon, Michael Crowley, Gregg T. Beckham
Summary: The study suggests that increasing the concentration of flavonoids in lignin may lead to linkage properties conducive to more facile lignin depolymerization, thus improving the efficiency of utilizing lignocellulosic feedstocks in the bioeconomy.
ACS SUSTAINABLE CHEMISTRY & ENGINEERING
(2021)
Review
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Yibing Li, Xianzhi Meng, Rongqian Meng, Ting Cai, Yunqiao Pu, Zhi-Min Zhao, Arthur J. J. Ragauskas
Summary: Lignin is a dominant renewable polymer on earth, but its complex structure limits its utilization. Catechyl lignin (C-lignin), with its unique linear structure, has gained attention. Obtaining C-lignin and developing depolymerization methods are essential for its high-value utilization.
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Edina Reizer, Bela Fiser
Summary: The reaction initiation points of the 16 priority polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) have been determined by calculating the different C-H bond dissociation enthalpy (BDE) values. Six density functional theory methods and four basis sets were applied, and the most feasible combination was selected. Most of the hydrogen atoms are in zig-zag positions, and the BDE and bond length values for the PAHs range between certain values. The initiation points are mostly represented by armchair and peak hydrogens.
ARABIAN JOURNAL OF CHEMISTRY
(2022)
Article
Agricultural Engineering
Wen-Zheng Yin, Ling-Ping Xiao, Shuang-Lin Zou, Wen-Xin Li, Hongliang Wang, Run-Cang Sun
Summary: A novel strategy using a commercial Pd/C catalyst was proposed to produce monophenolic compounds from fermented corn stover. By controlling the reaction temperature, the highest monomer yield of 28.5 wt% was achieved at 220 degrees C, compared to 22.8 wt% for pristine corn stover. The enhanced monophenol yield was attributed to higher lignin content and lower recalcitrance in the fermented stover. The results demonstrated a potential avenue for the valorization of lignin through reductive catalytic fractionation of agricultural waste.
BIORESOURCE TECHNOLOGY
(2023)
Review
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Mikhail Yu Balakshin, Ewellyn A. Capanema, Irina Sulaeva, Philipp Schlee, Zeen Huang, Martin Feng, Maryam Borghei, Orlando J. Rojas, Antje Potthast, Thomas Rosenau
Summary: Sugar-based biorefineries have faced economic challenges, with lignins often considered low-value products. However, recent research has shown that biorefinery lignins can be successfully used as high-value products, demonstrating beneficial synergistic effects in various applications.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Yingying Yang, Jingyu Xu, Yue Kong, Jinghui Zhou, Xing Wang
Summary: A novel binary solvent system consisting of alcohols and dichloromethane was developed for efficiently dissolving various types of lignin. Adjusting the volume ratio of alcohol and dichloromethane significantly affected the solubility of lignin. The solvent can dissolve lignin due to the solvation of the hydrophobic skeleton by dichloromethane and the solvation of hydrophilic groups by alcohols, promoting the dissolution of lignin. The proposed solvent is simple, efficient, versatile, and flexible, with broad application prospects.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF BIOLOGICAL MACROMOLECULES
(2023)
Article
Agricultural Engineering
Huarong Zhou, Zhaoxian Xu, Chenggu Cai, Jie Li, Mingjie Jin
Summary: This study deciphered the metabolic distribution of vanillin in Rhodoccous opacus PD630 and identified several vanillin reductases. By manipulating the genes involved in vanillin metabolism, the conversion of vanillin to muconic acid was significantly increased. Furthermore, the existence of vanillin reductases in other bacteria was demonstrated.
BIORESOURCE TECHNOLOGY
(2022)
Review
Agricultural Engineering
Sivasamy Sethupathy, Garbriel Murillo Morales, Lu Gao, Hongliang Wang, Bin Yang, Jianxiong Jiang, Jianzhong Sun, Daochen Zhu
Summary: As an abundant aromatic biopolymer, lignin holds great potential for producing various chemicals and biofuels through biorefinery activities, contributing to a sustainable circular economy. However, lignin valorization faces challenges such as its heterogeneous nature, intrinsic recalcitrance, strong smell, dark color, difficulties in lignocellulosic fractionation, and high bond dissociation enthalpies in its functional groups. Despite these constraints, recent research and development have shown promising applications of lignin-based hydrogels, surfactants, 3D printing materials, electrodes, and fine chemicals production. This review summarizes the main limitations and possible solutions for industrial lignin valorization, and provides future perspectives based on its abundance and potential applications reported in scientific literature.
BIORESOURCE TECHNOLOGY
(2022)
Review
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
Lizhen Hu, Shuqi Guo, Bo Wang, Rongzhan Fu, Daidi Fan, Min Jiang, Qiang Fei, Ramon Gonzalez
Summary: This paper critically reviews metabolic pathways related to alcohol biosynthesis in C1-gas-utilizing microorganisms (CGUM) and summarizes metabolic engineering approaches used to enhance carbon conversion efficiency, microbial growth, and biosynthesis of desired alcohols. Challenges in efficient microbial conversion of C1 gaseous substrates are also explored and discussed. The strategies presented here could guide the development of efficient biological routes for CH4, CO2, and CO utilization.
BIOTECHNOLOGY ADVANCES
(2022)
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Hora Alhosseini Almodarresiyeh, Siyamak Shahab, Masoome Sheikhi, Liudmila Filippovich, Ekaterina Tarun, Anatoliyi Pyrko, Maksim Khancheuski, Rakesh Kumar
Summary: In this study, two new Acridine Derivatives were synthesized and DFT calculations were performed to investigate their molecular structure and spectral properties in water. The results showed that the chosen computational method can be used to predict other properties of the synthesized molecules. Additionally, the study demonstrated that the new Acridines have good antioxidant properties and may be used for the development of anticancer drugs.
COMPUTATIONAL AND THEORETICAL CHEMISTRY
(2023)
Review
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
Wankui Jiang, Haiyan Gao, Jingxiang Sun, Xinyi Yang, Yujia Jiang, Wenming Zhang, Min Jiang, Fengxue Xin
Summary: This review evaluates the potential of Rhodococcus sp. as a cell factory for lignin biotransformation, focusing on its abilities in phenol tolerance, lignin depolymerization, and lignin-derived aromatic hydrocarbon metabolism. The detailed metabolic mechanism and bioproducts spectrum of lignin biotransformation by Rhodococcus sp. will be comprehensively discussed. Additionally, available molecular tools for lignin conversion and possible directions for future lignin biotransformation will be reviewed.
BIOTECHNOLOGY ADVANCES
(2022)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Daniel B. Sulis, Xiao Jiang, Chenmin Yang, Barbara M. Marques, Megan L. Matthews, Zachary Miller, Kai Lan, Carlos Cofre-Vega, Baoguang Liu, Runkun Sun, Henry Sederoff, Ryan G. Bing, Xiaoyan Sun, Cranos M. Williams, Hasan Jameel, Richard Phillips, Hou-min Chang, Ilona Peszlen, Yung-Yun Huang, Wei Li, Robert M. Kelly, Ronald R. Sederoff, Vincent L. Chiang, Rodolphe Barrangou, Jack P. Wang
Summary: This study demonstrates that multiplex CRISPR editing allows precise engineering of woody feedstock for improved lignin composition and wood properties, leading to more efficient fiber pulping and potential environmental benefits.
Article
Plant Sciences
Joo Young Kim, Keun Ho Cho, Shea A. Keene, Thomas A. Colquhoun
Summary: RNAi-mediated down-regulation of caffeoyl shikimate esterase (CSE) in Petunia x hybrida 'Mitchell diploid' (MD) revealed the essential role of CSE in lignin production and plant growth. Reduced CSE levels influenced the expression of multiple phenylpropanoid biosynthesis (FVBP) genes and altered volatile compound production. Significant decrease in caffeic acid content, but not ferulic acid, in ir-PhCSE plants suggests the involvement of CSE in the conversion of caffeoyl shikimate. Increased expression of C3H and C4H genes may alleviate p-coumaric acid accumulation caused by CSE alteration. Lastly, the changes in C3H, HCT, and 4CL genes in CSE down-regulated plants indicate an interaction among FVBP genes, regulating the floral volatiles of petunia.
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Daehwan Chung, Nicholas S. Sarai, Brandon C. Knott, Neal Hengge, Jordan F. Russell, John M. Yarbrough, Roman Brunecky, Jenna Young, Nitin Supekar, Todd Vander Wall, Deanne W. Sammond, Michael F. Crowley, Christine M. Szymanski, Lance Wells, Parastoo Azadi, Janet Westpheling, Michael E. Himmel, Yannick J. Bomble
ACS SUSTAINABLE CHEMISTRY & ENGINEERING
(2019)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Vivek S. Bharadwaj, Brandon C. Knott, Jerry Stahlberg, Gregg T. Beckham, Michael F. Crowley
JOURNAL OF BIOLOGICAL CHEMISTRY
(2020)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Peter N. Ciesielski, M. Brennan Pecha, Aaron M. Lattanzi, Vivek S. Bharadwaj, Meagan F. Crowley, Lintao Bu, Josh V. Vermaas, K. Xerxes Steirer, Michael F. Crowley
ACS SUSTAINABLE CHEMISTRY & ENGINEERING
(2020)
Letter
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Vivek S. Bharadwaj, Brandon C. Knott, Jerry Stahlberg, Gregg T. Beckham, Michael F. Crowley
JOURNAL OF BIOLOGICAL CHEMISTRY
(2020)
Article
Biochemical Research Methods
Malcolm A. O'Neill, Ian Black, Breeanna Urbanowicz, Vivek Bharadwaj, Mike Crowley, Sabina Koj, Maria J. Pena
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Thomas Elder, Jose C. del Rio, John Ralph, Jorge Rencoret, Hoon Kim, Gregg T. Beckham, Michael F. Crowley
ACS SUSTAINABLE CHEMISTRY & ENGINEERING
(2020)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Josh V. Vermaas, Michael F. Crowley, Gregg T. Beckham
ACS SUSTAINABLE CHEMISTRY & ENGINEERING
(2020)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Laura Berstis, Thomas Elder, Richard Dixon, Michael Crowley, Gregg T. Beckham
Summary: The study suggests that increasing the concentration of flavonoids in lignin may lead to linkage properties conducive to more facile lignin depolymerization, thus improving the efficiency of utilizing lignocellulosic feedstocks in the bioeconomy.
ACS SUSTAINABLE CHEMISTRY & ENGINEERING
(2021)
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Rodrigo L. Silveira, Brandon C. Knott, Caroline S. Pereira, Michael F. Crowley, Munir S. Skaf, Gregg T. Beckham
Summary: Serine hydrolases cleave peptide and ester bonds using a serine-histidine-aspartate/glutamate catalytic triad, with the critical role of the histidine residue undergoing conformational changes and proton transfer during the reaction. Active-site dynamics play a pivotal role in the catalytic mechanism of serine hydrolases, as shown in the case of AnFaeA.
JOURNAL OF PHYSICAL CHEMISTRY B
(2021)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Vivek S. Bharadwaj, Luke P. Westawker, Michael F. Crowley
Summary: This study developed a computational approach to predict the NMR signals of Apiose-borate complexes and enhance the understanding of the structure of RG-II. The results demonstrate that considering implicit solvation during geometry optimization greatly improves the accuracy of NMR chemical shift predictions.
FRONTIERS IN MOLECULAR BIOSCIENCES
(2022)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Josh V. Vermaas, Michael F. Crowley, Gregg T. Beckham
Summary: This study investigates the permeability of bacterial outer membrane to lignin-related compounds through simulations and finds that they have low permeation due to preferential membrane partitioning and slow diffusion within the lipopolysaccharide layer. However, this effect is relatively modest at industrially relevant concentrations.
JOURNAL OF BIOLOGICAL CHEMISTRY
(2022)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Taku Uchiyama, Takayuki Uchihashi, Takuya Ishida, Akihiko Nakamura, Josh V. Vermaas, Michael F. Crowley, Masahiro Samejima, Gregg T. Beckham, Kiyohiko Igarashi
Summary: Efficient depolymerization of crystalline cellulose requires the cooperative action of multiple cellulolytic enzymes. This study demonstrates that the synergistic activity between cellobiohy-drolases and a lytic polysaccharide monooxygenase can enhance the activity and performance of the enzymes by producing chain breaks and amorphizing the crystalline surface of cellulose.
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Nicholas A. Rorrer, Sandra F. Notonier, Brandon C. Knott, Brenna A. Black, Avantika Singh, Scott R. Nicholson, Christopher P. Kinchin, Graham P. Schmidt, Alberta C. Carpenter, Kelsey J. Ramirez, Christopher W. Johnson, Davinia Salvachua, Michael F. Crowley, Gregg T. Beckham
Summary: This study highlights the potential of beta-ketoadipic acid (beta KA) as a performance-advantaged replacement for adipic acid in nylon-6,6 analog. It demonstrates that beta KA can improve the thermal properties and reduce water permeability of nylon-6,6. The study also shows the feasibility and economic viability of producing beta KA from glucose derived from biomass. This is of great importance for the development of bio-based polymers.
CELL REPORTS PHYSICAL SCIENCE
(2022)
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Vivek S. Bharadwaj, Michael F. Crowley, Maria J. Pena, Breeanna Urbanowicz, Malcolm O'Neill
JOURNAL OF PHYSICAL CHEMISTRY B
(2020)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Josh V. Vermaas, Loukas Petridis, John Ralph, Michael F. Crowley, Gregg T. Beckham