Biodegradation of high molecular weight lignin under sulfate reducing conditions: Lignin degradability and degradation by-products

• Published in: Bioresource technology Vol. 100; no. 4; pp. 1622 - 1627
• Main Authors: Ko, Jae-Jung, Shimizu, Yoshihisa, Ikeda, Kazuhiro, Kim, Seog-Ku, Park, Chul-Hwi, Matsui, Saburo
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Kidlington Elsevier Ltd 01.02.2009; [New York, NY]: Elsevier Ltd; Elsevier
• Subjects: acid precipitable polymeric lignin; Acid precipitable polymeric lignin (APPL); Acids; anaerobic digestion; aromatic compounds; biodegradation; Biodegradation, Environmental; Biological and medical sciences; Biotechnology; cellulose; Cellulose - metabolism; chemical reactions; Degradation products; Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology; HMW lignin; landfills; lignin; Lignin - metabolism; Molecular Weight; municipal solid waste; Oxidation-Reduction; pyrolysis; simulation models; Sulfate reducing conditions; sulfate-reducing bacteria; sulfates; Sulfates - metabolism; Temperature; Time Factors; waste treatment; HMW lignin; Degradation products; Sulfate reducing conditions; Acid precipitable polymeric lignin (APPL); Biodegradation; Lignin; Polymer; Degradability; Sulfates; High molecular weight; Acids; Molecular mass; Degradation product
• ISSN: 0960-8524; 1873-2976
• DOI: 10.1016/j.biortech.2008.09.029

This study is designed to investigate the biodegradation of high molecular weight (HMW) lignin under sulfate reducing conditions. With a continuously mesophilic operated reactor in the presence of co-substrates of cellulose, the changes in HMW lignin concentration and chemical structure were analyzed. The acid precipitable polymeric lignin (APPL) and lignin monomers, which are known as degradation by-products, were isolated and detected. The results showed that HMW lignin decreased and showed a maximum degradation capacity of 3.49 mg/l/day. APPL was confirmed as a polymeric degradation by-product and was accumulated in accordance with HMW lignin reduction. We also observed non-linear accumulation of aromatic lignin monomers such as hydrocinnamic acid. Through our experimental results, it was determined that HMW lignin, when provided with a co-substrate of cellulose, is biodegraded through production of APPL and aromatic monomers under anaerobic sulfate reducing conditions with a co-substrate of cellulose.