Characterization of structural cell wall polysaccharides in cattail (Typha latifolia): Evaluation as potential biofuel feedstock

Second generation bioethanol produced from lignocellulosic biomass is attracting attention as an alternative energy source. In this study, a detailed knowledge of the composition and structure of common cattail (Typha latifolia L.) cell wall polysaccharides, obtained from stem or leaves, has been conducted using a wide set of techniques to evaluate this species as a potential bioethanol feedstock. Our results showed that common cattail cellulose content was high for plants in the order Poales and was accompanied by a small amount of cross-linked polysaccharides. A high degree of arabinose-substitution in xylans, a high syringyl/guaiacyl ratio in lignin and a low level of cell wall crystallinity could yield a good performance for lignocellulose saccharification. These results identify common cattail as a promising plant for use as potential bioethanol feedstock. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first in-depth analysis to be conducted of lignocellulosic material from common cattail.

This study was supported by the Spanish Ministry of Economy and Competitiveness (AGL2014-58126-R and SEV-2015-0533 from the Severo Ochoa Programme for Centres of Excellence in R&D 2016–2019) and by CERCA Programme/Generalitat de Catalunya, and the Suport a Grups de Recerca Programme (SGR2014-1434) from the Autonomous Government of Catalonia. Romina Martínez-Rubio received funding through a PhD grant from the Spanish Ministry of Science and Innovation FPU program.

Peer reviewed