Nature Communications (Feb 2023)
Visible light-exposed lignin facilitates cellulose solubilization by lytic polysaccharide monooxygenases
Abstract
Degradation of plant biomass, comprised of cellulose and polyaromatic lignin, is promoted by light. Here, the authors show that light promotes lignin-catalyzed generation of hydrogen peroxide, which is used by redox enzymes to degrade cellulose.