Tree Biomass Pectin for Sustainable Biofuel and Bioproduct Production

Date:May 10, 2023

Country: Georgia United States

Application

• Improved Biofuel Production: Modifying plant cell walls to enhance sugar compositions for more efficient biofuel conversion.
• Sustainable Bioproducts: Tailoring pectin and other plant polymers for eco-friendly materials and bioproducts.

Description

Scientists have identified the enzyme Galactan Synthase 1 (GalS1), which plays a key role in synthesizing pectin, a critical polymer for plant cell walls. By linking galactose molecules into galactan chains, GalS1 contributes to the flexibility and strength of plant structures, such as tree limbs. This discovery could help modify plant cell walls for improved biofuel production by adjusting sugar compositions. The study, involving NREL, University of Georgia, and Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, opens new possibilities for sustainable bioproducts.

Pathway Description:

The process involves Galactan Synthase 1 (GalS1) linking galactose molecules together to form galactan chains, which are key components of pectin. GalS1 binds to a pectin backbone laid down by other enzymes and positions its catalytic domain to add galactose sugars to the chain. This results in a complex molecular structure with branches of galactan terminated by arabinose sugars. The researchers used computational simulations and biochemical experiments to understand how the enzyme catalyzes this specific sugar attachment at the molecular level.