Lignocellulose Degradation by Fungi as Insight Into Biomass Pretreatment

White rot fungi have been recognized as having great capability in degrading lignin by producing various oxidative enzymes. Such modification causes changes in cell wall structure to facilitate enzymatic attack of cellulose for sugar release. This process can also be applied in pretreatment and hydrolysis of lignocellulosic biomass as alternatives to the current pretreatment and hydrolysis technologies. However, the fungal based biological pretreatment process suffers from a critical drawback as being slow in process rate. Another main barrier is the technical challenge involved producing lignin degrading enzymes. Aiming at addressing these barriers, the Bioprocessing and Bioproduct Engineering Laboratory at Washington State University has started a systematic research initiative including screening fungal strains for high performance of lignolytic enzyme production, culturing white rot fungi to produce enzymes under liquid and solid medium conditions, regulating enzyme production to achieve high enzyme activities, and accelerating fungal-based biological pretreatment processes. This paper will provide a summary of the most recent progresses of these research efforts. The information can provide insight into possibilities and approaches to improve the current biochemical conversion of processes for fuel and chemical productions from lignocellulose.