Plant Cell Wall, a Challenge for Its Characterisation

Abstract

The plant cell wall is a complex 3D network composed of polysaccharides, lignin and proteins. The knowledge of the structure and content of each cell wall polymer is a prerequisite to understand their functions during plant development and adaptation but also to optimise their industrial applications. The analysis of cell wall compounds is complicated by their multiple molecular interactions. In this review, we present numerous methods to purify, characterise and quantify proteins, polysaccharides and lignin from the wall. Two kinds of approaches are detailed: the first presents in vitro methods which involve the breakdown of the molecular linkages between polymers thanking to chemical, physical and/or enzymatic treatments. The second approach describes in situ methods that allow the cell wall polymer characterisation thanking to many analytical techniques coupled with microscopy. If microscopy is the common point of all of them, their development is associated with improvement of analytical techniques, increasing their power of resolution.

The Immunomodulatory Properties of β-2,6 Fructans: A Comprehensive Review

“…Current methods include the use of LPS inhibitor polymyxin B [ 153 ], Triton-X-114 and alkali-based treatments [ 152 , 154 , 155 ] but there is a need for more sensitive and efficient methods to remove and more accurately quantify LPS [ 153 , 156 ]. In addition, the huge diversity and complex structural features of plant and microbial PS presents challenges and difficulties when determining their full structures [ 157 , 158 ]. For example, with regards to fructan characterisation, degradation of fructose can occur during hydrolysis-based protocols such as monosaccharide analysis which relies on the use of trifluroracetic acid [ 3 , 159 ] and fructose interconversion to glucose or mannose has been reported to occur under acidic conditions [ 160 ].…”

Current and novel approaches to downstream processing of microalgae: A review

“…A fundamental difference concerns the operatory condition of theses pre-treatments, especially adapted for lower temperatures, (below 120 o C), and longer treatment time that can span up to several days (Mahdy et al, 2014a). Alkaline pretreatment can target the hydrolysis of ester bonds and hydrogen bonds between polysaccharide and non-polysaccharide cell wall components, especially at lower temperatures (Costa and Plazanet, 2016). For this reason, it has been extensively used for the extraction of hemicellulose from lignocellulosic biomass.…”

Mild Acetylation and Solubilization of Ground Whole Plant Cell Walls in EmimAc: A Method for Solution-State NMR in DMSO-d6

“…Lignocellulosic biomass, which can be obtained from the forest, from energy crops, or from agricultural residues, has been highlighted as an attractive and promising resource due to its moderately low cost, abundance, and sustainability. − The plant cell wall principally consists of cellulose (35–50%), hemicelluloses (20–35%), lignin (10–25%), and other minor components (extractives, ash, and protein), which connect with each other by covalent and hydrogen bonds to form a complex and rigid three-dimensional network structure. − The inherent mechanical and chemical resistance of plant cell walls toward decomposition limits the separation and efficient utilization of biomass however. , Accordingly, suitable knowledge of the chemical composition and molecular structure of lignocellulosic biomass is a prerequisite not only for understanding how they influence the physicochemical and biological properties of the biomass during plant growth and development but also for optimizing their economical and industrial conversion. − …”