Lignin valorization through the oxidative activity of β-etherases: Recent advances and perspectives

Mujeeb Ur Rahman; Muhammad Wajid Ullah; Khulood Fahad Alabbosh; Junaid Ali Shah; Nizar Muhammad; Zahoor; Syed Waqas Ali Shah; Said Nawab; Sivasamy Sethupathy; Sidikov Akmal Abdikakharovich; Khalid Ali Khan; Noureddine Elboughdiri; Daochen Zhu

doi:10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2024.136383

Lignin valorization through the oxidative activity of β-etherases: Recent advances and perspectives

Int J Biol Macromol. 2024 Nov;281(Pt 3):136383. doi: 10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2024.136383. Epub 2024 Oct 11.

Affiliations

¹ Biofuels Institute, School of the Environment and Safety Engineering, Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang 212013, PR China; Jiangsu Collaborative Innovation Center of Technology and Material of Water Treatment, Suzhou University of Science and Technology, Suzhou 215009, PR China.
² Department of Pulp & Paper Engineering, College of Light Industry and Food Engineering, Nanjing Forestry University, Nanjing 210037, PR China. Electronic address: wajid_kundi@ujs.edu.cn.
³ Department of Biology, College of Science, University of Hail, Hail, Saudi Arabia.
⁴ Department of Molecular Biology and Biochemistry, College of Life Sciences, China Normal University, Shanghai 200241, PR China.
⁵ COMSATS University Islamabad, Abbottabad Campus, Abbottabad, Pakistan.
⁶ Biofuels Institute, School of the Environment and Safety Engineering, Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang 212013, PR China.
⁷ Department of Dermatology, Ferghana Medical Institute of Public Health, Ferghana, Uzbekistan.
⁸ Applied College & Center of Bee Research and its Products (CBRP), King Khalid University, Abha 61413, Saudi Arabia.
⁹ Chemical Engineering Department, College of Engineering, University of Ha'il, P.O. Box 2440, Ha'il 81441, Saudi Arabia.
¹⁰ Biofuels Institute, School of the Environment and Safety Engineering, Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang 212013, PR China; Jiangsu Collaborative Innovation Center of Technology and Material of Water Treatment, Suzhou University of Science and Technology, Suzhou 215009, PR China. Electronic address: dczhucn@ujs.edu.cn.

PMID: 39395522
DOI: 10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2024.136383

Abstract

The increasing interest in lignin, a complex and abundant biopolymer, stems from its ability to produce environmentally beneficial biobased products. β-Etherases play a crucial role by breaking down the β-aryl ether bonds in lignin. This comprehensive review covers the latest advancements in β-etherase-mediated lignin valorization, focusing on substrate selectivity, enzymatic oxidative activity, and engineering methods. Research on the microbial origin, protein modification, and molecular structure determination of β-etherases has improved our understanding of their effectiveness. Furthermore, the use of these enzymes in biorefinery processes is promising for enhancing lignin breakdown and creating more valuable products. The review also discusses the challenges and future potential of β-etherases in advancing lignin valorization for biorefinery applications that are economically viable and environmentally sustainable.

Keywords: Biorefinery; Industrialization; Lignin valorization; Structural characterization; β-Etherases.

Publication types

Review

MeSH terms

Bacterial Proteins* / metabolism
Lignin* / chemistry
Lignin* / metabolism
Oxidation-Reduction
Oxidoreductases* / metabolism
Substrate Specificity

Substances

aryl ether cleaving enzyme
Bacterial Proteins
Lignin
Oxidoreductases