The Protein Factory 2.0
Welcome to a world of new solutions
Multi-step biocatalytic depolymerization of lignin
PI: Elena Rosini and Loredano Pollegioni
Participants:
Elisa Vignali, Filippo Molinari
Publications:​
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Pollegioni et al., 2015. Lignin-degrading enzymes. FEBS J., 282:1190-213. Doi: 10.1111/febs.13224.
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Tonin et al., 2016. Comparison of different microbial laccases as tools for industrial uses. N Biotechnol., 33:387-98. Doi: 10.1016/j.nbt.2016.01.007.
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Tonin et al., 2017. A novel, simple screening method for investigating the properties of lignin oxidative activity. Enzyme Microb Technol., 96:143-150. Doi: 10.1016/j.enzmictec.2016.10.013.
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Vignali et al., 2018. Characterization and use of a bacterial lignin peroxidase with an improved manganese-oxidative activity. Appl Microbiol Biotechnol., 102:10579-10588. Doi: 10.1007/s00253-018-9409-3.
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Fundings:
CIB (Miur 2018 project)
Collaborations:
Claudia CRESTINI, Università Ca’ Foscari, Venezia, IT
Lignin is the second most abundant natural substance on the Earth after cellulose, and only a very small part of it is used for the production of value-added products. The enzymatic hydrolysis could represent an environmentally friendly alternative to physical and chemical methods for lignin valorization.
An “Enzymatic toolbox” is available in our laboratory:
An optimized miniaturised screening method combined with the fractionation of lignin samples (for the obtainment of a more homogeneous starting material) allow a deep investigation on the applications of these enzymes on the degradation of technical lignins. The effect of different enzymes on the monomer release and polymer distribution and modification are assessed by GPC and GC-MS analyses.
The enzymatic degradation of lignin will allow to use the ensuing products as substrates in synthetic chemistry and in generation of novel products (plastics, resins, tissues).
