Actinomycetes as Tools for Biotransformations of Lignans

Abstract

The current demands for novel and sustainable biotechnological processes, including new microbial enzymes with industrial potential are constantly required. As a form to address the growing need for industrially relevant enzymes, functional screenings of microorganisms and/or (meta)genome mining techniques have emerged as powerful strategies for the identification of promising enzymes to novel or improved industrial processes [1]. Once enzymes have been well characterized, they can be produced, studied, and engineered about their biocatalytic, including possible synergistic activities in multiple protein cocktails. Currently, there is an increased interest in exploring and exploiting microbial enzymes for selective degradation of plant biomass. The efforts are concentrated on the bioconversion of lingo-cellulosic material. While ample enzymes are nowadays available for the degradation and modification of the polysaccharide content of plant biomass, there is a need for effective lignin degrading enzymes.