Harnessing unconventional monomers to tailor lignin structures for lignocellulosic biomass valorization

Lignin is an integral component in the plant secondary cell wall that imparts structural rigidity and integrity to plant tissues, contributes to the formation of the plant vascular system, and provides stress resilience. However, the heterogeneity and recalcitrance of lignin greatly impede the effec...

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Main Authors: Yunjun Zhao, Muhammad Abid, Xinxin Xie, Yuelin Fu, Yuxiang Huang, Zhuoying Cai, Huana Lin
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Maximum Academic Press 2024-01-01
Series:Forestry Research
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Online Access:https://www.maxapress.com/article/doi/10.48130/forres-0024-0001
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author Yunjun Zhao
Muhammad Abid
Xinxin Xie
Yuelin Fu
Yuxiang Huang
Zhuoying Cai
Huana Lin
author_facet Yunjun Zhao
Muhammad Abid
Xinxin Xie
Yuelin Fu
Yuxiang Huang
Zhuoying Cai
Huana Lin
author_sort Yunjun Zhao
collection DOAJ
description Lignin is an integral component in the plant secondary cell wall that imparts structural rigidity and integrity to plant tissues, contributes to the formation of the plant vascular system, and provides stress resilience. However, the heterogeneity and recalcitrance of lignin greatly impede the effective utilization of lignocellulosic biomass which represents the most abundant and valuable biogenic source for green and sustainable bioproducts. A customized lignin structure has the potential to alter lignin physicochemical properties and improve biomass utilization. Recently, researchers have reported that lignin polymerization can employ monomers beyond the traditional three monomers. The incorporation of these unconventional monomers can alter the physicochemical properties of lignin polymer by imparting lignin with a whole new structure. Here, we review the plant engineering efforts to alter lignin content, composition, and structure by harnessing non-conventional monomers. Rational manipulation of lignin structure with these unconventional lignin monomers may provide new strategies for minimizing the impacts of engineered lignin on plant growth and development meanwhile improving the utilization efficiency of lignocellulosic biomass.
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spelling doaj-art-9e731002b5be402792b60c22a0f83ff32025-08-20T02:12:33ZengMaximum Academic PressForestry Research2767-38122024-01-014133334010.48130/forres-0024-0001forres-0024-0001Harnessing unconventional monomers to tailor lignin structures for lignocellulosic biomass valorizationYunjun Zhao0Muhammad Abid1Xinxin Xie2Yuelin Fu3Yuxiang Huang4Zhuoying Cai5Huana Lin6Key Laboratory of Plant Carbon Capture and CAS Center for Excellence in Molecular Plant Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 200032, ChinaKey Laboratory of Plant Carbon Capture and CAS Center for Excellence in Molecular Plant Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 200032, ChinaKey Laboratory of Plant Carbon Capture and CAS Center for Excellence in Molecular Plant Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 200032, ChinaKey Laboratory of Plant Carbon Capture and CAS Center for Excellence in Molecular Plant Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 200032, ChinaKey Laboratory of Plant Carbon Capture and CAS Center for Excellence in Molecular Plant Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 200032, ChinaKey Laboratory of Plant Carbon Capture and CAS Center for Excellence in Molecular Plant Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 200032, ChinaKey Laboratory of Plant Carbon Capture and CAS Center for Excellence in Molecular Plant Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 200032, ChinaLignin is an integral component in the plant secondary cell wall that imparts structural rigidity and integrity to plant tissues, contributes to the formation of the plant vascular system, and provides stress resilience. However, the heterogeneity and recalcitrance of lignin greatly impede the effective utilization of lignocellulosic biomass which represents the most abundant and valuable biogenic source for green and sustainable bioproducts. A customized lignin structure has the potential to alter lignin physicochemical properties and improve biomass utilization. Recently, researchers have reported that lignin polymerization can employ monomers beyond the traditional three monomers. The incorporation of these unconventional monomers can alter the physicochemical properties of lignin polymer by imparting lignin with a whole new structure. Here, we review the plant engineering efforts to alter lignin content, composition, and structure by harnessing non-conventional monomers. Rational manipulation of lignin structure with these unconventional lignin monomers may provide new strategies for minimizing the impacts of engineered lignin on plant growth and development meanwhile improving the utilization efficiency of lignocellulosic biomass.https://www.maxapress.com/article/doi/10.48130/forres-0024-0001acylated ligninlinear ligninlow molecular weight ligninlignin hydrophobicityligninunconventional lignin monomers
spellingShingle Yunjun Zhao
Muhammad Abid
Xinxin Xie
Yuelin Fu
Yuxiang Huang
Zhuoying Cai
Huana Lin
Harnessing unconventional monomers to tailor lignin structures for lignocellulosic biomass valorization
Forestry Research
acylated lignin
linear lignin
low molecular weight lignin
lignin hydrophobicity
lignin
unconventional lignin monomers
title Harnessing unconventional monomers to tailor lignin structures for lignocellulosic biomass valorization
title_full Harnessing unconventional monomers to tailor lignin structures for lignocellulosic biomass valorization
title_fullStr Harnessing unconventional monomers to tailor lignin structures for lignocellulosic biomass valorization
title_full_unstemmed Harnessing unconventional monomers to tailor lignin structures for lignocellulosic biomass valorization
title_short Harnessing unconventional monomers to tailor lignin structures for lignocellulosic biomass valorization
title_sort harnessing unconventional monomers to tailor lignin structures for lignocellulosic biomass valorization
topic acylated lignin
linear lignin
low molecular weight lignin
lignin hydrophobicity
lignin
unconventional lignin monomers
url https://www.maxapress.com/article/doi/10.48130/forres-0024-0001
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