Open AccessLignin valorization meets synthetic biology
Author(s) -
Zhang Renkuan,
Zhao ChenHui,
Chang HanChen,
Chai MengZhe,
Li BingZhi,
Yuan YingJin
Publication year - 2019
Publication title -
engineering in life sciences
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.547
H-Index - 57
eISSN - 1618-2863
pISSN - 1618-0240
DOI - 10.1002/elsc.201800133
Subject(s) - lignin , synthetic biology , biopolymer , renewable resource , biochemical engineering , biomass (ecology) , phenylpropanoid , value added , microbiology and biotechnology , chemistry , pulp and paper industry , renewable energy , organic chemistry , biology , engineering , computational biology , enzyme , ecology , biosynthesis , polymer , macroeconomics , economics
Lignin, an abundant renewable resource in nature, is a highly heterogeneous biopolymer consisting of phenylpropanoid units. It is essential for sustainable utilization of biomass to convert lignin to value‐added products. However, there are technical obstacles for lignin valorization due to intrinsic heterogeneity. The emerging of synthetic biology technologies brings new opportunities for lignin breakdown and utilization. In this review, we discussed the applications of synthetic biology on lignin conversion, especially the production of value‐added products, such as aromatic chemicals, ring‐cleaved chemicals from lignin‐derived aromatics and bio‐active substances. Synthetic biology will offer new potential strategies for lignin valorization by optimizing lignin degradation enzymes, building novel artificial converting pathways, and improving the chassis of model microorganisms.