Role of Lignin in Biochemical Conversion of Lignocellulose Biomass into Fuels and Biochemicals

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In a typical process of biochemical conversion of lignocellulose materials such as wood and agriculture residues into fuels and chemicals, either hemicellulose or lignin has to be removed so that cellulase can access cellulose molecules more easily. Lignin makes up 20%-30% of plant mass varying with species. Lignin acts as a physical barriers restricting access of cellulases to cellulose; and lignin and lignin derivatives also bind with cellulase, so called non-productive binding. The objective of this study is to obtain fundamental understanding of how lignin in the lignocellulose substrate affects biomass conversion. We will use EM, XPS, CLSM, AFM to determine the redistribution of lignin after a pretreatment process, and will use a specially designed AFM system in our lab to study the interactive forces between cellulases and lignin. Lignin content, lignin distribution, and the composition of different types of lignin in substrates and in hydrolysis systems will be investigated for its contribution to substrate recalcitrance to enzyme hydrolysis. Many efforts have been made in research around the world in order to develop technologies for biomass conversion; however, economically viable technologies are scarce. It is clear that more fundamental questions in biomass conversion process need to be answered. This proposed project will gaining new understanding of lignocellulose biomass structure and chemical components at micro- and nano-scale, and link these characteristics to the substrate digestibility. It is expected that new knowledge obtained from this study will provide crucially important information for improving the existing and developing new biochemical conversion technologies which is economically viable for industrial applicaitons. This research program involves expertise in the areas of chemical engineering, chemistry, biology, industrial processes, and state-of-the-art surface and nanoscale analysis techniques, and thus provides a unique opportunity for training HQP’s for Canada.