Lignin Valorization Via Laccase-Assisted Functionalization

Journal Article · Wed Oct 19 00:00:00 EDT 2016 · BAOJ Chemistry

OSTI ID:1376582

Hashmi, Muzna ^[1]; Chandra, Richard P. ^[2]; Ragauskas, Arthur J. ^[3]

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1. Quaid-i-Azam Univ., Islamabad (Pakistan). Dept. of Microbiology, Faculty of Biological Sciences
2. Univ. of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC (Canada). Dept. of Wood Science
3. Univ. of Tennessee, Knoxville, TN (United States). Dept. of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, Dept. of Forestry, Wildlife and Fisheries, Center of Renewable Carbon; Oak Ridge National Lab. (ORNL), Oak Ridge, TN (United States). Joint Inst. for Biological Sciences, Biosciences Division

With the diminishing supply of the world’s petroleum reserves and increasing environmental concerns, a heightened focus has been placed upon developing bio refineries to sustainably convert lignocellulosics to fuels, chemicals and materials. Furthermore, woody biomass represents a promising bio resource due to its abundance, renewability, and biodegradability. Lignin is an irregular polyphenolic macromolecule that typically constitutes ~15-35% of woody biomass. The pulp and paper industry produces lignin on the scale of millions of tons each year as a by-product of the pulping process. Traditionally, lignin has been viewed as a waste material that is combusted in the pulping process. But, in recent decades, there have been increased efforts devoted towards the conversion of lignin into value-added commodities, such as bio fuels, biomaterials, and bio-based chemicals. The valorization of lignin can be regarded as a necessary step for the development of lignocellulosic-based integrated bio refineries. Owing to the phenolic structure of lignin, it is possible to enzymatically graft molecules onto its surface using laccases (benzenediol: oxygen oxidoreductases, EC 1.10.3.2) to create exciting novel biomaterials. These environmentally friendly enzymes use oxygen as their only co-substrate and produce water as their sole by-product, and as a result have found compelling industrial applications. This mini-review highlights recent advances in the field of laccase-facilitated functionalization of lignin as well as promising future directions for lignin-based polymers.

• Research Organization: Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL), Oak Ridge, TN (United States)
• Sponsoring Organization: USDOE Office of Science (SC), Biological and Environmental Research (BER) (SC-23)
• Grant/Contract Number: AC05-00OR22725
• OSTI ID: 1376582
• Journal Information: BAOJ Chemistry, Journal Name: BAOJ Chemistry Journal Issue: 2 Vol. 2; ISSN 9999-0012
• Publisher: BioAccent
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

09 BIOMASS FUELS
enzymatic grafting
fibre modification
laccases
lignin functionalization