Zip-Lignin™ Assay: An Analysis and Validation Tool
To produce pulp from wood, harsh chemicals are applied during cooking and bleaching mainly because lignin is tough to break down. To make it easier to degrade, Wisconsin researchers discovered how chemically reactive bonds can be introduced into the lignin backbone through genetic modification. This pioneering concept has been produced and patented as Zip-lignin™ hybrid poplar and may be extended to other plant species (for more detail see WARF reference number P100225US02). One difficulty in validating this technology has been showing that the modified Zip-lignin molecules are present in the transformed plants – the levels are too low for existing detection methods.
The researchers have now developed the most sensitive assay to date for detecting and quantifying Zip-lignin monomers in plants. They modified an existing lignin assay known as DFRC (Derivatization Followed by Reductive Cleavage) that has been in use for almost a decade. They incorporated several new features to improve the sensitivity of the assay, including extended incubation periods and an additional purification step. The modified DFRC assay is currently the only known technique capable of determining levels of monolignol ester conjugates in plant lignin.
First and most sensitive assay of its kind
Analysis and validation of Zip-lignin technology
The researchers have shown that the new assay can distinguish changes in the amount of monolignol p-coumarate conjugates in the lignin of Brachypodium distachyon as a function of p-coumaroyl-CoA:monolignol transferase (PMT) activity. The strategy also was shown to distinguish levels of monolignol ferulate conjugates incorporated into Zip-lignin poplar.
For current licensing status, please contact Jennifer Gottwald at jennifer@warf.org or 608-960-9854