Biodegradation of high molecular weight lignin under sulfate reducing conditions: Lignin degradability and degradation by-products

This study is designed to investigate the biodegradation of high molecular weight (HMW) lignin under sulfate reducing conditions. With a continuously mesophilic operated reactor in the presence of co-substrates of cellulose, the changes in HMW lignin concentration and chemical structure were analyzed. The acid precipitable polymeric lignin (APPL) and lignin monomers, which are known as degradation by-products, were isolated and detected. The results showed that HMW lignin decreased and showed a maximum degradation capacity of 3.49 mg/l/day. APPL was confirmed as a polymeric degradation by-product and was accumulated in accordance with HMW lignin reduction. We also observed non-linear accumulation of aromatic lignin monomers such as hydrocinnamic acid. Through our experimental results, it was determined that HMW lignin, when provided with a co-substrate of cellulose, is biodegraded through production of APPL and aromatic monomers under anaerobic sulfate reducing conditions with a co-substrate of cellulose.