Lignin valorization meets synthetic biology

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 intrinsi...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Engineering in life sciences 2019-06, Vol.19 (6), p.463-470
Main Authors: Zhang, Renkuan, Zhao, Chen‐Hui, Chang, Han‐Chen, Chai, Meng‐Zhe, Li, Bing‐Zhi, Yuan, Ying‐Jin
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
artificial pathway
bio‐degradation
lignin valorization
Review
Reviews
synthetic biology
value‐added products
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Summary: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.
ISSN:1618-0240
1618-2863
DOI:10.1002/elsc.201800133