Investigation of tension wood formation and 2,6-dichlorbenzonitrile application in short rotation coppice willow composition and enzymatic saccharification

A - Papers appearing in refereed journals

Brereton, N. J. B., Pitre, F. E., Ray, M. J., Karp, A. and Murphy, R. J. 2011. Investigation of tension wood formation and 2,6-dichlorbenzonitrile application in short rotation coppice willow composition and enzymatic saccharification. Biotechnology for Biofuels. 4, p. 13 (9pp). https://doi.org/10.1186/1754-6834-4-13

AuthorsBrereton, N. J. B., Pitre, F. E., Ray, M. J., Karp, A. and Murphy, R. J.
Abstract

Background
Short rotation coppice willow is a potential lignocellulosic feedstock in the United Kingdom and elsewhere; however, research on optimising willow specifically for bioethanol production has started developing only recently. We have used the feedstock Salix viminalis × Salix schwerinii cultivar 'Olof' in a three-month pot experiment with the aim of modifying cell wall composition and structure within the stem to the benefit of bioethanol production. Trees were treated for 26 or 43 days with tension wood induction and/or with an application of the cellulose synthesis inhibitor 2,6-dichlorobenzonitrile that is specific to secondary cell walls. Reaction wood (tension and opposite wood) was isolated from material that had received the 43-day tension wood induction treatment.

Results
Glucan content, lignin content and enzymatically released glucose were assayed. All measured parameters were altered without loss of total stem biomass yield, indicating that enzymatic saccharification yield can be enhanced by both alterations to cell wall structure and alterations to absolute contents of either glucan or lignin.

Conclusions
Final glucose yields can be improved by the induction of tension wood without a detrimental impact on biomass yield. The increase in glucan accessibility to cell wall degrading enzymes could help contribute to reducing the energy and environmental impacts of the lignocellulosic bioethanol production process.

Year of Publication2011
JournalBiotechnology for Biofuels
Journal citation4, p. 13 (9pp)
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)https://doi.org/10.1186/1754-6834-4-13
Open accessPublished as ‘gold’ (paid) open access
FunderBiotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council
Funder project or codeCentre for Biofuels and Climate Change (BCC)
The BBSRC Sustainable Bioenergy Centre (BSBEC): Perennial Bioenergy Crops Programme [2009-2014]
Genetic improvement of perennial biomass crops within a sustainable land use context
Publisher's version
Output statusPublished
Publication dates
Online24 May 2011
Publication process dates
Accepted24 May 2011
PublisherBiomed Central Ltd
Copyright licenseCC BY
ISSN1754-6834

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