Leaf-cutting ant inspired biomass conversion using Fenton chemistry

Leaf-cutting ants grow their fungal symbiont on plant fragments in underground fungus gardens. The symbiosis capitalizes on unique adaptations that enable the ants’ fecal fluid to mediate a highly efficient oxidative, enzyme-driven Fenton reaction to generate hydroxyl radicals that quickly convert plant biomass into nourishment for the fungus. This synergistic combination of enzymatic and oxidative action gives inspiration to develop conceptually new enzyme-based redox processes for converting plant biomass. The project will investigate how to apply this process for biotechnological purposes by testing cocktails of relevant enzymes and compounds for their degradative efficiency on plant substrates. Also, the project will investigate how fecal fluid enzymes avoid being damaged by proteases and hydroxyl radicals. The project will allow sustainable upgrading of plant biomass into products that have high societal value as novel renewable biochemicals and biomaterials.