AGRE-0021 Optimisation of Lignin in Crop and Industrial Plants Through Genetic Engineering

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Biotechnology : ECLAIR Cluster II - Lignocellulose : Paper/Pulp : Plant Genetics : Pulping : Straw : Wood (Lignocellulose)

AGRE-0021 Optimisation of Lignin in Crop and Industrial Plants Through Genetic Engineering (OPLIGE) 1 March 1991 - 1 March 1992

Wood, agricultural residues and many other plant materials which can be used for feed or paper production consist largely of lignocellulose. Of the various components of such materials, the carbohydrates cellulose and hemicellulose are of most value. The third component, lignin, has a negative effect on the digestibility of forage crops, contributes to the effluents generated by the paper/pulp industry and limits the attack on cellulose by enzymes and microorganisms during saccharification. Hence, it is of interest to design plants with a modified lignin content, adapted to specific agricultural and industrial uses. Recent advances in plant genetic engineering, particularly the use of what is termed antisense RNA, make this possible in theory. However, at the time this work was started no lignification genes had been characterised. The activities carried out under this ECLAIR project have changed the situation and shown that down regulation of certain lignification genes can result in marked changes in lignin composition and reactivity. These induced changes would appear particularly advantageous in terms of improved pulping characteristics and animal feed utilisation. The commercial exploitation of these results is already envisaged.

Contacts

Coordinator

• Universite of Toulouse, CNRS Unite Associee au CNRS 1941 / FRANCE

EC Scientific Officer

• Joaquim AZCON BIETO / European Commission DG XII E-2 SDME 8/27 / BELGIUM