Lignin Biodegradation by Selective White Rot Fungus and Its Potential Use in Wood Biomass Conversion

摘要

A selective white rot fungus, Ceriporiopsis subvermispora is shown to, degrade lignin without extensive damage to cellulose. This selective ligninolysis reaction is catalyzed by low molecular mass compounds at a site far from the enzymes. At an incipient stage of the wood decay, the fungus catalyzed in situ lipid peroxidation and secreted alkylitaconic acids and ceriporic acids. The extracellular metabolites are thought to attenuate the iron redox reactions, thereby inhibiting the production of a cellulolytic active oxygen species such as hydroxyl radicals. The selective lignolysis by this fungus can be applied to pretreatments of wood for ethanol fermentation, methane fermentation and feedstuff production.