Description:
Lignin, an
abundant polymer of vascular plants that provides structural integrity to the
plant cell wall, is the second most abundant polymer on earth and critical to
the strength and survival of terrestrial plants. Unfortunately, its mechanical
strength and resistance to chemical degradation, which is so essential for plant
health, are problematic when trying to use plants as feedstocks for certain
industrial and feed applications.
Description
Michigan
State University (MSU), in collaboration with the University of Wisconsin and
the University of British Columbia, has developed a suite of technologies for
the genetic engineering of a new type of modified lignin plants. The modified
plants have normal amounts of lignin that is easily extracted under mildly
alkaline conditions. Unlike many prior attempts at lignin modification, this
altered lignin will function properly in the cell wall, thus maintaining
critical functions in the plant and avoiding adverse effects on crop growth and
yield.
These
particular inventions relate to a strategy for incorporation of a novel
chemical, coniferyl ferulate, into lignin. Coniferyl ferulate introduces an
ester bond between the lignin and cellulose that is easy to cleave using
alkaline chemicals. As a consequence, crops and plant materials with this
modification would be better feedstocks for the extraction of cellulose and
other polysaccharide polymers for use in pulp and paper production and
cellulosic biomass-based biofuels.
MSU is
offering genes and enzymes for incorporation of coniferyl ferulate into lignin.
Additionally, a gene for use in blocking a side pathway present in grasses is
available. This gene may be used to block this pathway, thereby diverting more
substrate to an engineered coniferyl ferulate pathway in grasses. The coniferyl
ferulate genes have been validated in a model system and are currently being
tested in poplar.
Benefits
· Improved feedstock for
pulp and paper production: Transgenic trees with
coniferyl-ferulate modified lignin have the potential to provide a substantially
better feedstock for use in the Kraft process. It is expected that the altered
lignin will reduce both energy and chemical requirements for
pulping.
· Better cellulosic
biomass feedstock: Wood, dedicated energy
crops, or crop residues with altered lignin could serve as better feedstocks for
cellulosic biofuels by providing less expensive and more efficient extraction of
fermentable sugars, particularly in processes involving ammonia or other
alkaline pretreatment. It is expected that the altered lignin will reduce energy
and chemical and enzyme requirements for biomass
processing.
· Improved lignin polymer
extracts: Improved lignin may be
extracted as longer polymers, which makes the improved lignin useful as a
chemical substrate for carbon fiber production and other
uses.
Applications
·
Feedstock for Kraft process
for pulp and paper
·
Feedstock for cellulosic
biomass biofuels
·
Lignin polymer
production
Related
Technology:
TEC2010-0097:
Angelica
BAHD Acyltransferase That Synthesizes Coniferyl Ferulate
IP
Protection Status
Patents
pending
