Scientists use termites in biofuel study

Scientists have used a series of analytical chemistry methods in order to progress in the development of new enzymatic pretreatment processes for biomass fuels and chemicals.

In a study published by Biotechnology for Biofuels, the team of scientists, including Jing Ke, Dhrubojyoti Laskar, Deepak Singh and Shulin Chen, investigated the structural modification in the lignin biomolecular assembly in softwood tissues by termites, a process which is critical for cell wall degradation.

Using advanced analytical chemistry techniques including pyrolysis gas chromatography mass spectrometry (Py-GC/MS), the scientists found elevated level of guaiacyl derived (G unit) polymeric frame work in the termite feces, as well as specific evidence of cellulose degradation.

"This strongly suggests that the structural modification in lignin proper could be associated with the formation of additional condensed inter-unit linkages," the authors of the study said.

The scientists said that the investigation provided insight into creating a new enzymatic pretreatment process which mimics termite digestion for biochemical conversion of lignocellulosic biomass to fuels and chemicals.