title: Biodegradation of high molecular weight lignin under sulfate reducing conditions: lignin degradability and degradation by-products.
abstract: 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.
authors.affiliation: Korea Institute of Construction Technology, 2311, Daehwa-Dong, Ilsanseo-Gu, Goyang-Si, Gyeonggi-Do 411-712, Republic of Korea. caryotes@hotmail.co.jp
authors.forename: Jae-Jung
authors.initials: JJ
authors.lastname: Ko
authors.forename: Yoshihisa
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Shimizu
authors.forename: Kazuhiro
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Ikeda
authors.forename: Seog-Ku
authors.initials: SK
authors.lastname: Kim
authors.forename: Chul-Hwi
authors.initials: CH
authors.lastname: Park
authors.forename: Saburo
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Matsui
mesh_terms: D000143:Acids; D001673:Biodegradation, Environmental; D002482:Cellulose / Q000378:metabolism; D008031:Lignin / Q000378:metabolism*; D008970:Molecular Weight; D010084:Oxidation-Reduction; D013431:Sulfates / Q000378:metabolism*; D013696:Temperature; D013997:Time Factors
chemical_list: D000143:Acids; D013431:Sulfates; D002482:Cellulose; D008031:Lignin