ARS | Publication request: MODELING LIGNIFICATION IN GRASSES WITH DEHYDROGENATION POLYMER-CELL WALL COMPLEXES

Submitted to: American Chemical Society Symposium Series
Publication Type: Book / Chapter
Publication Acceptance Date: January 23, 1997
Publication Date: N/A

Technical Abstract: p-Hydroxycinnamyl alcohols are efficiently polymerized into primary walls from maize cell suspensions by H2O2 and wall-bound peroxidases to produce dehydrogenation polymer-cell wall (DHP-CW) complexes. The structure and distribution of synthetic lignins in complexes are similar to natural lignins formed in grass cell walls. This system was used to elucidate how ferulate-polysaccharide esters act as initiation sites for lignification, cross-link wall polymers, and restrict enzymatic degradation of structural polysaccharides. In addition, the effects of lignin composition and lignification conditions (pH and rate of precursor addition) on polysaccharide degradability were investigated. DHP-CW complexes are useful for modeling matrix interactions in lignified walls and for identifying means of improving the utilization of lignocellulosic materials for nutritional and industrial purposes.