Lignin degradation by Bacillus ligniniphilus L1

A lignin degradation strain, Bacillus ligniniphilus L1 was isolated from sediments of South China Sea. The strain L1 could use lignin and some aromatic compounds as single carbon source, such as popionic acid, 2, 6-dimethoxypenol, 3, 5-dimethoxy-4-hydroxyphenylacetic, benzoic acid, 2, 5-furandicarboxylic acid, vanillic acid, veratryl alcohol etc. We sequenced the whole genome of L1, and the enzymes genes which possible involving lignin degradation such as dehydrogenase oxidase dismutase etc were observed. In addition, the Bavendamn’s color reaction and RB light blue color reaction results were positive also prove the present of peroxidize and laccase in strain L1. The characteristic of strain L1 which able to grow with a ph range from 6-11 and was salinity tolerant (NaCl 10%) make it have a potential application in the industry for waste water treatment and pretreatment of lignocelluloses. To investigate the enzymes which involving the lignin degradation of strain L1, we performed the whole genome transcriptomes sequencing of strain L1 cultures (nutrition medium and lignin as single carbon source medium), by analysis the upregulated genes the pathways responsible for lignin degradation in strain L1 were predict.

The clarifying of pathway of lignin degradation in Bacillus ligniniphilus L1 will contribute to the conversion of lignocelluloses to biofuel, and in near future, the lignin will provide a rich source of renewable aromatic chemicals.