Enzymology of plant cell wall breakdown: An update

Abstract

Vast quantities of lignocellulosic material are available for exploitation as potential source of food and biofuel. Lignocellulose structure is degraded by an arsenal of enzyme systems that works synergically. Basically, two enzyme types are responsible for the efficient degradation of lignocelluloses: hydrolytic enzyme system, which degrades the holocellulose structure and oxidative enzyme system, which acts on lignin and open phenyl rings. For a variety of reasons, enzymatic conversion of lignocellulose is preferred over chemical conversion procedures. This chapter shows a comprehensive picture of the main enzymes involved in lignocellulose breaking down. © 2011 Springer Science+Business Media, LLC.