Bioengineers Develop Breakthrough Substrate to Study Wood-Decomposing Enzyme

Kobe University team successfully characterizes enzyme's reaction speed and mechanism, paving the way for industrial applications.

Researchers aim to transform wood into bioplastics, chemicals, food additives, and fuel.
The complex structure of wood, composed of lignin and hemicellulose, has been a significant hurdle.
Kobe University bioengineer KOH Sangho and his team created a new test substrate to study the fungal enzyme.
The new substrate retains essential features of the enzyme’s natural substrate, allowing for accurate characterization.
This breakthrough enables potential industrial applications and further research into enzyme performance and alternatives.