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Enzymatic Oxidation of Lignin: Challenges and Barriers Toward Practical Applications
Author(s) -
Chan Jou C.,
Paice Michael,
Zhang Xiao
Publication year - 2020
Publication title -
chemcatchem
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.497
H-Index - 106
eISSN - 1867-3899
pISSN - 1867-3880
DOI - 10.1002/cctc.201901480
Subject(s) - lignin , hemicellulose , cellulose , lignocellulosic biomass , biomass (ecology) , raw material , organic chemistry , chemistry , renewable resource , renewable energy , biochemical engineering , materials science , pulp and paper industry , engineering , biology , agronomy , electrical engineering
Lignocellulosic biomass represents perhaps the most abundant renewable resource with a potential to replace fossil‐based feedstock for sustainable energy, chemical and materials production. Among the three major lignocellulosic biomass components (i. e. cellulose, hemicellulose and lignin), lignin is a macromolecule with an aromatic skeleton with a variety of functional groups (e. g. hydroxyl, methoxy, carbonyl, double bond) and carries a higher energy density. The unique structure makes lignin an intriguing substrate for energy, chemicals and materials productions. However, the high molecular weight and complex macromolecular structure have made lignin a challenging substrate to be transformed by many conversion methods. Microbial enzyme degradation and modification of lignin have been subjected to a significant amount research in the last a few decades. Yet so far little success has been demonstrated to merit the use of enzymatic technology for lignin transformation at a commercial scale. This paper provides an updated review of the development of lignin degrading/modifying enzymes with an emphasis on identifying the key barriers and challenges toward practical applications of microbial enzymes for lignin valorization with a hope to generate new insights and direction that can overcome these challenges.