In the near future, grasses must provide most of the biomass for the production of renewable fuels. However, grass cell walls are characterized by a large quantity of hydroxycinnamic acids such as ferulic and p-coumaric acids, which are thought to reduce the biomass saccharification. Ferulic acid (FA) binds to lignin, polysaccharides and structural proteins of grass cell walls cross-linking these components. A controlled reduction of FA level or of FA cross-linkages in plants of industrial interest can improve the production of cellulosic ethanol. Here, we review the biosynthesis and roles of FA in cell wall architecture and in grass biomass recalcitrance to enzyme hydrolysis.
Keywords: BAHD acyl-CoA transferases; cellulosic ethanol; lignocellulose; phenylpropanoid pathway; saccharification; type II cell wall.
© 2014 Society for Experimental Biology, Association of Applied Biologists and John Wiley & Sons Ltd.