Please use this identifier to cite or link to this item: https://hdl.handle.net/2440/100350
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Type: Journal article
Title: Prospecting for energy-rich renewable raw materials : Sorghum stem case study
Author: Byrt, C.
Betts, N.
Tan, H.
Lim, W.
Ermawar, R.
Nguyen, H.
Shirley, N.
Lahnstein, J.
Corbin, K.
Fincher, G.
Knauf, V.
Burton, R.
Citation: PLoS One, 2016; 11(5):e0156638-1-e0156638-20
Publisher: Public Library of Science
Issue Date: 2016
ISSN: 1932-6203
1932-6203
Editor: Zabotina, O.
Statement of
Responsibility: 
Caitlin S. Byrt, Natalie S. Betts, Hwei-Ting Tan, Wai Li Lim, Riksfardini A. Ermawar, Hai Yen Nguyen, Neil J. Shirley, Jelle Lahnstein, Kendall Corbin, Geoffrey B. Fincher, Vic Knauf, Rachel A. Burton
Abstract: Sorghum vegetative tissues are becoming increasingly important for biofuel production. The composition of sorghum stem tissues is influenced by genotype, environment and photoperiod sensitivity, and varies widely between varieties and also between different stem tissues (outer rind vs inner pith). Here, the amount of cellulose, (1,3;1,4)-β-glucan, arabinose and xylose in the stems of twelve diverse sorghum varieties, including four photoperiod-sensitive varieties, was measured. At maturity, most photoperiod-insensitive lines had 1% w/w (1,3;1,4)-β-glucan in stem pith tissue whilst photoperiod-sensitive varieties remained in a vegetative stage and accumulated up to 6% w/w (1,3;1,4)-β-glucan in the same tissue. Three sorghum lines were chosen for further study: a cultivated grain variety (Sorghum bicolor BTx623), a sweet variety (S. bicolor Rio) and a photoperiod-sensitive wild line (S. bicolor ssp. verticilliflorum Arun). The Arun line accumulated 5.5% w/w (1,3;1,4)-β-glucan and had higher SbCslF6 and SbCslH3 transcript levels in pith tissues than did photoperiod-insensitive varieties Rio and BTx623 (<1% w/w pith (1,3;1,4)-β-glucan). To assess the digestibility of the three varieties, stem tissue was treated with either hydrolytic enzymes or dilute acid and the release of fermentable glucose was determined. Despite having the highest lignin content, Arun yielded significantly more glucose than the other varieties, and theoretical calculation of ethanol yields was 10 344 L ha-1 from this sorghum stem tissue. These data indicate that sorghum stem (1,3;1,4)-β-glucan content may have a significant effect on digestibility and bioethanol yields. This information opens new avenues of research to generate sorghum lines optimised for biofuel production.
Keywords: Cell Wall
Sorghum
Plant Stems
Carbon
Ethanol
Starch
Glucose
Biomass
Genotype
Biofuels
Rights: Copyright: © 2016 Byrt et al. This is an open access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original author and source are credited.
DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0156638
Published version: http://dx.doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0156638
Appears in Collections:Agriculture, Food and Wine publications
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