Biological Upgrading of Lignin from Lignocellulosic Feedstocks

Lignin is a heterogeneous aromatic polymer used by plants for structure, water transport, and defense against pathogens. After cellulose, lignin is the most abundant organic material on Earth, making up one-fourth to one-third of the dry weight of wood, where it is concentrated in cell walls.  It is the most energy dense of cellular components, but has been typically underutilized as a feedstock in the production of fuels and chemicals, and instead burned for process heat and power. In this study, we investigate biological routes for lignin upgrading to value-added molecules, as well as obtaining an understanding of the toxicity to potential biocatalysts of compounds present in lignin rich streams of lignocellulosic feedstocks.