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Fungal biodegradation of lignocelluloses

Formally Refereed
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Download (PDF 458 KB): https://research.fs.usda.gov/download/treesearch/40827.pdf

Abstract

Uncertainties in the basic structures of especially lignin but also other components in lignocellulose make fungal biodegradation studies a challenging task. The following properties are important in terms of microbial or enzymatic attack: (1) lignin polymers have compact structures that are insoluble in water and difficult to penetrate by microbes or enzymes, (2) the intermonomeric linkages that account for the rigidity of lignin comprise many kinds of C–C and C–O bonds with the β-aryl ether linkage being the most significant and (3) intermonomeric linkages in lignin are not hydrolyzable. A conclusion from the above items is summarized as follows: (1) polymeric lignin degradation requires extracellular enzymes and/or small molecular weight mediators or factors such as radicals, (2) the lignin degrading system must be unspecific and (3) the enzymes must be oxidative, not hydrolytic.

Keywords

Wood-decaying fungi, biodegradation, fungi, industrial applications, lignocellulose, brown rot, biotechnology, lignin, cellulose, Basidiomycetes, microbial metabolism, polysaccharides, laccase, chemical reactions, oxidation, hydroquinone, glycopeptides, dehydrogenases, enzymes, decay fungi, wood decay, white rot, bioconversion, biorefining, soft rot, peroxidase, cellobiose, biopulping

Citation

Hatakka, Annele; Hammel, Kenneth E. 2010. Fungal biodegradation of lignocelluloses. In: Mycota, Vol. 10 : Industrial applications: 2nd edition. Berlin ; Heidelberg : Springer, 2010: p. 319-340: ISBN: 9783642114571 (rel): 3642114571 (rel).
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