Overexpression of the scopoletin biosynthetic pathway enhances lignocellulosic biomass processing.

Lignin is the main factor limiting the enzymatic conversion of lignocellulosic biomass into fermentable sugars. To reduce the recalcitrance engendered by the lignin polymer, the coumarin scopoletin was incorporated into the lignin polymer through the simultaneous expression of () and () in lignifying cells in . The transgenic lines overproduced scopoletin and incorporated it into the lignin polymer, without adversely affecting plant growth.