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  • Title: Sodium hydroxide pretreatment of genetically modified switchgrass for improved enzymatic release of sugars.
    Author: Wang Z, Li R, Xu J, Marita JM, Hatfield RD, Qu R, Cheng JJ.
    Journal: Bioresour Technol; 2012 Apr; 110():364-70. PubMed ID: 22330602.
    Abstract:
    Overcoming biomass recalcitrance to bioconversion is crucial for cellulosic biofuels commercialization. In this study, Alamo switchgrass (Panicum virgatum L.) was genetically transformed to suppress the expression of 4-coumarate-CoA ligase (4CL). The transgenic plants were determined to have lignin content reductions of up to 5.8%. The ratios of acid soluble lignin (ASL) to acid insoluble lignin (AIL) and syringyl/guaiacyl (S/G) in transgenic plants were 21.4-64.3% and 11.8-164.5%, respectively, higher than those of conventional biomass. Both conventional and transgenic plants were pretreated with 0.5%, 1%, and 2% (w/v) NaOH for 15, 30, and 60min at 121°C, followed by enzymatic hydrolysis with commercial cellulases and xylanases. At the optimal conditions, the glucan and xylan conversion efficiency in the best transgenic plants were 16% and 18% higher than the conventional plant, respectively. The results show that down-regulation of 4CL gene promoted enzymatic hydrolysis of plant cell walls following a mild alkali pretreatment.
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