Structural features of lignin-hemicellulose-pectin (LHP) orchestrate a tailored enzyme cocktail for potential applications in bark biorefineries

Loading...
Thumbnail Image

Access rights

openAccess
publishedVersion

URL

Journal Title

Journal ISSN

Volume Title

A1 Alkuperäisartikkeli tieteellisessä aikakauslehdessä

Major/Subject

Mcode

Degree programme

Language

en

Pages

18

Series

Green Chemistry, Volume 25, issue 14, pp. 5661-5678

Abstract

Wood bark is a structurally complex by-product of the pulp and paper industry, which focuses primarily on the valorization of structurally more regular wood xylem components. The aim of this study was the elucidation of the less valorised willow wood counterparts (whole bark, inner bark, sclerenchyma bundles, and parenchymatous tissues) by NMR spectroscopic techniques. This allowed a better understanding of the structural features of macromolecular components of bark (i.e. pectin, hemicellulose, and lignin), thus providing a base for a more rational design of the customized biochemical processes prior to chemical processing of bark. This crucial knowledge contributed to the creation of a protocol/decision tool to select tailored enzymes (discarding the slightest substrate binding) for the biological pre-treatment of bark to a state suitable for chemical pulping. Such a protocol/decision-making tool would significantly improve the efficiency of enzyme selection by 60-70% due to the specific catalytic activity of the enzymes involved.

Description

This work made use of the RawMatTERS Finland infrastructure (RAMI) facilities based at Aalto University. This work was a part of the Academy of Finland's Flagship Programme under project no. 318890 and 318891 (Competence Center for Materials Bioeconomy, FinnCERES). Special thanks go to Dr Heidi Henrickson from Aalto University for the language check. GC-MS infrastructure from the University of Aveiro is also appreciated for analyzing the tannin-like substances. Dr Leena Pitkänen from Aalto University provided the assistance for the molecular weight analysis using gel permeation chromatography. The NMR premises from the University of Helsinki are also appreciated.

Keywords

Other note

Citation

Dou, J, Wang, J, Hietala, S, Evtuguin, D V, Vuorinen, T & Zhao, J 2023, 'Structural features of lignin-hemicellulose-pectin (LHP) orchestrate a tailored enzyme cocktail for potential applications in bark biorefineries', Green Chemistry, vol. 25, no. 14, pp. 5661-5678. https://doi.org/10.1039/d3gc00808h