Lignocellulose modifying enzymes for sustainable technologies

The versatile microbial systems in nature degrade vast amounts of biomass into carbon dioxide, and are partially responsible for the carbon cycle in the hemisphere. Different types of micro-organisms produce a variety of enzymes which depolymerize organic polymers and complex compounds into small metabolizable molecules that serve as energy and nutrient source for these organisms. These enzymes may also be useful in industrial processes, where they can be employed as isolated biocatalysts to develop environmentally benign processes and products. Today, enzymes are increasingly used in many sectors, such as feed, textile, pulp and paper, and chemical industries. Enzymes have already been shown to be efficient and environmentally sustainable tools in reducing the consumption of energy and chemicals e.g. in the pulp and paper sector, and their importance in biomass conversion processes is growing. Understanding the degradative and metabolic reactions can also be exploited in several other ways; to enhance and monitor the biodegradation of organic molecules in the field of environmental biotechnology or, on the other hand, to prevent these reactions in the fields of wood protection or process hygiene. The cost efficiency of enzyme based processes can be improved with the new tools of modem biotechnology.