igneada floodplain forest BMP Raw sequence reads
Lignin, a crucial component of plant cell walls and lignocellulosic biomass, presents both potential and challenges for bioenergy and biomaterials production. Despite being the most abundant renewable aromatic polymer in nature, lignin's complex structure makes it highly resistant to degradation, hindering efficient conversion into valuable products. Anaerobic digestion (AD) is a preferred technique to evaluate lignin and lignocellulosic waste; however, the rate-limiting hydrolysis step limits the yield. To enhance degradation efficiency, sustainable and eco-friendly biological pretreatment methods, such as bioaugmentation, have been explored.In this study, an enriched lignin-degrading anaerobic microbial community, isolated from floodplain forests, was used for bioaugmentation, representing a novel approach in lignin degradation. The impact of this microbial consortia on biomethane generation and lignin degradation efficiency in the seed sludge microbiota was investigated. Additionally, the study explored the influence of various parameters, including substrate and temperature, on microbial community dynamics.To assess the microbial dynamics and functional potential, culture-independent techniques, such as metagenomics, were employed. Metagenomics, combining next-generation sequencing tools, revealed diverse and uncultivable microorganisms and provided high-resolution insights into microbial ecology and taxonomic diversity. The application of Oxford Nanopore Technologies (ONT) MinION sequencing further enhanced resolution through long-read capabilities. Functional metagenomics facilitated the discovery of lignin-degrading enzymes, genes, and pathways.The results shed light on the potential of bioaugmentation in enhancing lignin degradation during AD. The study identified microbial consortia capable of efficiently degrading lignin anaerobically, highlighting the importance of the synergistic relationships between microorganisms. The use of culture-independent techniques demonstrated the feasibility of uncovering the functional potential of the microbiome and identifying key lignin-degrading microorganisms. Moreover, the utilization of ONT MinION sequencing and PICRUSt2 tool represents a pioneering effort in this field.Overall, this study contributes valuable insights into lignin bioaugmentation and its role in lignocellulosic biorefinery valorization. By understanding microbial dynamics and lignin degradation pathways, the potential for bioenergy and biomaterial production from lignocellulosic biomass can be harnessed more efficiently, advancing the sustainable utilization of lignin resources.