This study investigated the influence of various hardwood characteristics on enzymatic hydrolysis. Important hardwood species, including three Eucalyptus species, were comprehensively characterized using quantitative 13C NMR, image analysis and fiber quality analysis. Hydrolysis efficiency from all the hardwoods was correlated to the wood chemical composition and lignin characteristics. Follow this link to learn more: http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0960852412001095
Category: Pretreatment
pretreatment webpage
Biological Pretreatment of Lignocellulosic Substrates for Enhanced Delignification and Enzymatic Digestibility
This research article tests the Actinomycete Streptomyces griseus for its ability to digest lignin as a way to pretreat linogellulosic feedstocks for biofuel production. Follow this link to learn more: http://www.springerlink.com/content/u35t12552ru05426/
Catalytic Conversion of Waste Biomass by Hydrothermal Treatment
The purpose of the work presented here is the production of liquid biofuels from wet organic waste matter in a continuous one-step catalytic process under hydrothermal conditions. Follow this link to learn more: http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0016236110005338
Tracking dynamics of Plant Biomass Composting by Changes in Substrate Structure, Microbial Community, and Enzyme Activity
How easy is it to break down plant cells? This research tests various environmental conditions to find out how to break down cellulose and lignin efficiently. Follow this link to learn more: http://www.biotechnologyforbiofuels.com/content/5/1/20
“Genome, Transcriptome, and Secretome Analysis of Wood Decay Fungus Postia placenta Supports Unique Mechanisms of Lignocellulose Conversion
Research on brown-rot fungus to determine potential catalysts for lignin depolymerization. Follow this link to learn more: http://www.pnas.org/content/106/6/1954.short
First Wood-Digesting Enzyme Found in Bacteria Could Boost Biofuel Production
The first bacteria-produced lignin-degrading enzyme has been isolated from a soil bacterium that is related to plant pathogens. Follow this link to learn more: http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/06/110609112905.htm
Mutated plants may be better for biofuels
Mutations in cell walls may lead to reduced cellulose recalcitrance. Follow this link to learn more: http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2012/02/120228152158.htm
Metabolic Engineering of Microorganisms for Biofuels Production: From Bugs to Synthetic Biology to Fuels
A review and opinion article on the technology surrounding the usage of microbes for synthesis of biofuel and suggestions for the future. Follow this link to learn more: http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0958166908001420
A Sustainable Woody Biomass Biorefinery
the objective of this paper is a focused review on the selected processes for a particular approach to biorefinery: incremental deconstruction of woody biomass in the absence of waste generation steps such as pretreatment and detoxification. In particular, integrated studies on hot-water based biochemical approach is systematically reviewed. In particular, hot-water extraction based “pretreatment” processes are discussed in detail. Follow this link to learn more: http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0734975012000262
Redesigning Escherichia coli Metabolism for Anaerobic Production of Isobutanol
This work demonstrates a general approach for designing and constructing a production host that uses a heterologous pathway as an obligately fermentative pathway to produce isobutanol. Follow this link to learn more: http://aem.asm.org/content/77/14/4894.short