Bioconversion of Recalcitrant Polysaccharides by Novel Oxidative Biocatalysts for the production of ethanol and other novel products

This project focused on studying Lytic Polysaccharide MonoOxygenases (LPMOs) from various organisms. The individual activities of these enzymes, as well as their synergistic interactions with traditional cellulases, were investigated. Research also explored how LPMOs function on both model and natural cellulose substrates. Additionally, the effect of different lignin fractions on LPMO activity was examined. Finally, the potential for targeted substrate oxidation of using LPMOs was studied, with a focus on producing oxidatively modified cellulose as a value-added product.

Project team: Paul Christakopoulos (project leader), Madhu Muraleedharan Nair, Anthi Karnaouri, Ulrika Rova

Partners: Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences

Duration: 2014-2017

Funded by the Swedish Energy Agency