Boosting lignocellulosic bioethanol production: fermentation of corn stalk using a lignin-reduced brown midrib 2 maize mutant.

ABSTRACT:

Background

The recalcitrance of lignin is a major bottleneck in the efficient conversion of lignocellulosic biomass to bioethanol. Genetic reduction of lignin content represents a key strategy to overcome this barrier. This study focuses on characterizing the brown midrib2 (bm2) maize mutant to assess its potential for improving bioethanol production.

Results

Using a near-isogenic line (BC₄F₅) harboring the bm2 mutation, an 8.01% reduction in acid-insoluble lignin content in stalks was observed, with no significant change in cellulose or hemicellulose. This lignin reduction led to a 25.17% increase in glucose release upon sulfuric acid pretreatment. Most importantly, the bm2 mutant showed significantly higher lignocellulosic bioethanol yields: 3.05 g/L

SUBMITTER: Wang J 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12764123 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Nov

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature