ISSN:
1420-9071
Source:
Springer Online Journal Archives 1860-2000
Topics:
Biology
,
Medicine
Notes:
Summary Large efforts are directed towards production of ethanol from cellulosic biomass in order to reduce our dependence on petroleum based ethylene. No satisfactory process exists to date, however, which would make the aromatic molecules present in wood available to economic exploitation. A combination of physicochemical pretreatment of lignocellulose and selective microbial conversion of the mixture of aromatic monomers into a few phenolic products is outlined. Anaerobic microbial communities are employed since they offer thermodynamic and physiological characteristics necessary for efficient conversion. Under anaerobic conditions most of the carbon and energy initially present in the substrate can be recovered as useful products; oxidative losses as CO2 and H2O are minimized. The 3,4-disubstituted aromatic lignin monomers are converted to catechol while 3,4,5-trisubstituted monomers are mineralized to CH4 and CO2. Further studies are directed towards an understanding of the physiological functions of the populations participating in the conversion process, the reason for catechol recalcitrance and the tolerance of the community towards phenolic endproducts.
Type of Medium:
Electronic Resource
URL:
http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/BF01945070
