Sunday, May 4, 2008
1-25

Evaluating low lignin mutants of forage sorghum for increased conversion efficiency to sugars and ethanol

Bruce S. Dien1, Gautam Sarath2, Jeffrey F. Pedersen2, Deanna L. Funnell2, Scott E. Sattler2, and Nancy N. Nichols3. (1) National Center for Agricultural Utilization Research, USDA-ARS, Midwest Area, 1815 N. University Street, Peoria, IL 61604, (2) Grain, Forage, and Bioenergy Research Unit, USDA-ARS, 314 Biochemistry Hall, UN-L East Campus, Lincoln, NE 68583-0737, (3) National Center for Agricultural Utilization Research, USDA-ARS, USDA-ARS, 1815 N. University St., Peoria, IL 61732

Reduced lignin near-isogenic lines of Atlas bmr-6, bmr-12, and bmr-6 bmr-12 forage sorghum (Sorghum biocolor (L.)) have been evaluated as sources of biomass for conversion to sugars and ethanol.  These mutants have the advantages of reduced lignin contents and high biomass yields.  Field replicates of wild-type and multiple reduced lignin mutants were harvested whole and without grain, dried, and ground.  Representative biomass samples were evaluated for total carbohydrate, Klason lignin and ash contents.  Lignin varied widely and total carbohydrates less so.  Samples were next treated with a low-severity dilute-acid pretreatment and the washed solids saccharified with commercial cellulase.  The relative amount of glucose released (63-90%) was found to be negatively correlated with lignin content and the correlation was 0.80.  Currently, the washed solids are being evaluated for differences in ethanol yields following simultaneous saccharification and fermentation with Saccharomyces cerevisiae.

See more of Poster Session One
See more of General Submissions

See more of The 30th Symposium on Biotechnology for Fuels and Chemicals (May 4 -- 7, 2008)