Background

The long-term success of biorefining is dependent on the development of effective low-cost enzyme cocktails for processing plant biomass to exploit the energy rich polysaccharides and the aryl-aromatic polymer lignin in plant cell walls for fermentation and conversion into commodity chemicals. Lignocellulose in plant biomass represents an abundant renewable feedstock for the development of sustainable chemicals and biofuels; however, current processes to retrieve valuable compounds from this material require chemically intensive treatments that are economically challenging and environmentally unfriendly.

A key factor of the breakdown of lignocellulose is the presence of lignin, which encases the polysaccharides, blocking enzyme accessibility. In an industrial setting this is typically removed or modified through physio-chemical methods prior to the application of cellulase cocktails.

Technology Overview

Researchers at the University of York have identified a previously unexplored lignocellulose degrading enzyme from compost ecosystems that exhibits remarkable β-etherase activity. The novel enzyme has potential to enhance the processing of lignocellulose, making it more amenable for the production of biofuels and valuable chemicals. Ongoing work is proceeding to validate the use of these enzymes on a variety of lignocellulosic feedstocks and demonstrate utility and robustness for industrial use.

Benefits

It degrades lignin
It specifically cleaves tricin from wheat straw
It boosts saccharification (ie release of sugar) of untreated wheat straw when added to an industry cellulase enzyme cocktail by~2-fold (unoptimised)
It demonstrates good stability

Applications

Biorefining
Activities requiring the breakdown of lignocellulose
Production of tricin as a pharmaceutical feedstock from cereal straw

The market demand for tricin as an antimutagenic and anti-inflammatory agent is high due to the high cost of manufacture and limited supply.

Opportunity

The university is interested in licensing opportunities and to hear from commercial or development partners.

A Novel Enzyme for Enhanced Lignocellulose Breakdown

Patents

IP Status

Seeking