Production of value-added chemicals from wheat straw lignin by bio-refinery process

Abstract

Lignocellulosic-based bio-refineries are essential for a secure energy in future. Lignin degradation is required for carbon recycling and production of renewable chemicals. Lignin due to the high level of color and low biodegradability, is categorized as a serious pollutant particularly in the aquatic ecosystem. In this study, biodegradation of organosolv lignin by a white rot fungi, Bjerkandera adusta, was verified. The FTIR spectra of lignin, before and after treatment with fungi displayed modification by changing in the structure of lignin. Some of the functional groups have disappeared and some new bands appeared in the spectra. The SDS-PAGE chromatographs also showed that the fungi protein has a molecular weight of 44 kDa. This molecular weight increased to 46 kDa after the treatment of lignin by fungi. The heavier molecular weight occurred due to the bonding of fungi protein with lignin. The results from surface morphology also showed the attachments of lignin molecules to fungi mycelia. As a result, the extracted lignin after treatment with B. adusta showed significant changes in its physical and chemical structure which makes it a noble candidate for carrying out value added products and refinery of lignin waste in pulp and paper industries.