Reaction of manganese peroxidase of Bjerkandera adusta with synthetic lignin in acetone solution

Abstract

The reaction of manganese peroxidase (MnP) of the white-rot fungus Bjerkandera adusta with synthetic lignin (dehydrogenation polymer, DHP) in acetone medium was investigated. Gel-permeation chromatography of the DHP treated by MnP demonstrated depolymerization of syringyl DHP in the reaction mixture containing 70% acetone; moreover, concomitant repolymerization occurred to give highly polymerized products. Guaiacyl DHP was only repolymerized by MnP in the same acetone solution without giving degradation products. Addition of ascorbic acid to reaction mixtures containing acetone resulted in preferential depolymerization of syringyl DHP. © The Japan Wood Research Society 1998.