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Updated: Jul 19, 2025

Lignin Down-regulation of Zea mays via dsRNAi and Klason Lignin Analysis
Published on: July 23, 2014
A lignin-derived material improves plant nutrient bioavailability and growth through its metal chelating capacity
Qiang Liu1,2, Tsubasa Kawai2, Yoshiaki Inukai3
1MOE Key Laboratory of Environment Remediation and Ecological Health, College of Environmental and Resource Science, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China.
Abstract:
The lignocellulosic biorefinery industry can be an important contributor to achieving global carbon net zero goals. However, low valorization of the waste lignin severely limits the sustainability of biorefineries. Using a hydrothermal reaction, we have converted sulfuric acid lignin (SAL) into a water-soluble hydrothermal SAL (HSAL). Here, we show the improvement of HSAL on plant nutrient bioavailability and growth through its metal chelating capacity. We characterize HSAL's high ratio of phenolic hydroxyl groups to methoxy groups and its capacity to chelate metal ions. Application of HSAL significantly promotes root length and plant growth of both monocot and dicot plant species due to improving nutrient bioavailability. The HSAL-mediated increase in iron bioavailability is comparable to the well-known metal chelator ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid. Therefore, HSAL promises to be a sustainable nutrient chelator to provide an attractive avenue for sustainable utilization of the waste lignin from the biorefinery industry.
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