Modeling Lignification in Grasses with Monolignol Dehydropolymerisate-Cell Wall Complexes

p -Hydroxycinnamyl alcohols are efficiently polymerized into primary walls from maize cell suspensions by H 2 O 2 and wall-bound peroxidases to produce monolignol dehydropolymerisate-cell wall (DHP-CW) complexes. The structure and distribution of the synthetic lignins in complexes are similar to natural lignins formed in grass cell walls. This system was used to elucidate how ferulate-polysaccharide esters act as initiation sites for lignification, cross-link plant cell wall polymers, and restrict enzymatic degradation of structural polysaccharides. In addition, the effects of lignin composition and lignification conditions (pH and rate of precursor addition) on polysaccharide degradability were investigated. DHP-CW complexes are useful for modeling matrix interactions in lignified plant cell walls and for identifying means for improving the utilization of lignocellulosic materials for nutritional and industrial purposes.