The researchers studied how different aspects of lignin in plant cell walls affect their degradability. They used a model system with corn cell walls to see how changes in lignin composition, structure, and cross-linking impact the breakdown of cell walls by fungal enzymes. They found that altering the types of lignin units did not affect degradability, but each unit of lignin decreased it. Adding a specific precursor to lignin made it harder to break down. Different ways of forming lignin had similar effects on degradability. Reducing cross-linking in cell walls increased their breakdown by enzymes. Overall, lowering lignin levels, making it less hydrophobic, and reducing cross-linking can improve the breakdown of plant cell walls for various uses.