ligninolysis
Ligninolysis is the biological and chemical process that deconstructs lignin, the highly cross-linked, aromatic polymer that reinforces plant secondary cell walls. Lignin’s recalcitrance makes ligninolysis a slow process, but it is a central component of the global carbon cycle and a target for biotechnological lignin valorization.
In nature, ligninolysis is mainly carried out by white-rot fungi, some brown-rot fungi, and certain bacteria.
Lignin’s structure is heterogeneous, consisting of monolignols—p-coumaryl, coniferyl, and sinapyl alcohols—linked by bonds such as beta-O-4.
Applications include biopulping and biobleaching, pretreatment for lignocellulosic biofuels, and lignin valorization for value-added products. Understanding