Biocatalytic Lignin Modification

Dear Colleagues,

Biological modification of lignin has recently become revitalized as an important research object because degradation of lignin forms an important aspect of sustainable lignocellulosic plant biomass re-fining and lignin utilization. Lignin is a hydrophobic polymeric cell wall component that acts as a waterproof shield in plant cells, and lignin typically makes up 20%–30% of lignocellulosic biomass. Lignin is the only renewable plant polymer exclusively composed of aromatic structures – being made up of polymerized (dehydrogenated) p-hydroxycinnamyl alcohols. In Nature, white-rot fungi can degrade lignin, and research continues to reveal the enzymology of this process and to engineer biocatalysis of lignin by enzymes of fungal or bacterial origin – including heterologously expressed and improved enzymes. Recently, enzymatic modifications of lignin and improved enzymes for this process have come into focus paving the way for specific lignin modifications. From a chemical and analytical point of view, the analysis of biocatalytic lignin modification is challenging because lignin is insoluble in water and appears to lack steric regularity. In addition, lignins from various types of plant material are highly variable. This Special Issue will focus on disseminating the latest information in the fields of biocatalytic lignin modification and enzymology to foster cross-fertilization of knowledge and engineering aspects to provide progress in this field. It welcomes original research papers dealing with biological and biocatalytic lignin degradation and modification, chemistry, analysis, enzymology, enzyme discovery, and novel experimental approaches and technologies to examine and promote biocatalytic lignin modification and degradation.

Dr. Anne S. Meyer
Guest Editor

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