Suberin- A potential source of renewable chemicals for industrial applications

Abstract

Suberin is a lipid-based biopolymer present in the plasma membrane in higher plants and acts as a hydrophobic barrier. It is present in roots, leaves, outer bark and periderm of the tuber plants. This polymer protects plants from environmental stress including drought, salinity, pathogen attack and water loss. The present review has explored the current aspects of suberin structure, its biosynthesis, depolymerization methods and Suberin-derived monomers application. Different chemicals, as well as biological processes, are present to recover these monomers and these suberin based monomers have shown several industrial applications. De-polymerisation of suberin is an essential step for extracting these valuable added macromolecules including di-hydroxy acids, monohydroxy fatty acids, phenolics and glycerol. The importance of suberin monomers in polymer, pharmaceutical and food industries is also highlighted. Hence, waste from agro-food industries rich in suberin components could be a promising source for these renewable chemicals extraction.