Enzymatic and Microbial Bioconversion of Lignin to Renewable Chemicals

This chapter describes the different classes of enzymes found in fungi and bacteria that are known to oxidize polymeric lignin, including peroxidases and multi-copper oxidases, and how these enzymes have been applied to convert polymeric lignin to aromatic products. Metabolic pathways for microbial lignin degradation are discussed, and recent examples of metabolic engineering in lignin-degrading bacteria such as Pseudomonas putida KT2440 and Rhodococcus jostii RHA1 for the production of high-value bioproducts from lignin breakdown have been provided.