Department of Biotechnology, Key Laboratory of Molecular Biophysics of the Ministry of Education, College of Life Science and Technology, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430074, China.
Department of Biotechnology, Key Laboratory of Molecular Biophysics of the Ministry of Education, College of Life Science and Technology, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430074, China.
Trends Biotechnol. 2022 Dec;40(12):1469-1487. doi: 10.1016/j.tibtech.2022.09.009. Epub 2022 Oct 26.
Lignin is the most abundant source of renewable aromatic biopolymers and its valorization presents significant value for biorefinery sustainability, which promotes the utilization of renewable resources. However, it is challenging to fully convert the structurally complex, heterogeneous, and recalcitrant lignin into high-value products. The in-depth research on the lignin degradation mechanism, microbial metabolic pathways, and rational design of new systems using synthetic biology have significantly accelerated the development of lignin valorization. This review summarizes the key enzymes involved in lignin depolymerization, the mechanisms of microbial lignin conversion, and the lignin valorization application with integrated systems and synthetic biology. Current challenges and future strategies to further study lignin biodegradation and the trends of lignin valorization are also discussed.
木质素是最丰富的可再生芳香族生物聚合物资源，其增值利用对于生物炼制的可持续性具有重要意义，因为这促进了可再生资源的利用。然而，要将结构复杂、异质和难降解的木质素完全转化为高价值产品仍然具有挑战性。深入研究木质素的降解机制、微生物代谢途径以及利用合成生物学合理设计新系统，极大地加速了木质素增值利用的发展。本综述总结了木质素解聚涉及的关键酶、微生物木质素转化的机制，以及利用集成系统和合成生物学进行木质素增值利用的应用。还讨论了当前面临的挑战和进一步研究木质素生物降解的未来策略，以及木质素增值利用的趋势。
