Question

Using examples, please discuss how the presence of lignin leads to challenges, for both ruminant animals and humans, in accessing the cellulose components of the cell wall. Thank you.

Answer 1

Lignin is a phenolic polymer present in the cell walls of vascular plants, which drives out water and strengthen the cell wall. Presence of lignin interferes with the microbial access of the plant cell wall components and serves as a physical barrier that interrupts the digestion of cell-wall polysaccharides. So, the presence of lignin pose challenges for both ruminant animals and humans regarding the digestion of plant cell wall components and reduces the nutritional availability of fiber.