DEMETHOXYLATION OF LIGNIN-MODEL COMPOUNDS WITH ENZYME EXTRACTS FROM GLOEOPHILUM-TRABEUM

Lignin demethoxylation was studied using enzyme extracts from Gloeophi lum trabeum. The synthesis of enzyme complexes in semisolid cultures i s described together with the incorporation of Fe-55 to identify metal proteins. The demethoxylation activity of enzyme extracts were tested with lignin-model compounds: veratric alcohol; veratric aldehyde; anis oin. Demethoxylated products were identified by thin layer chromatogra phy and reverse phase high-pressure liquid chromatography. Methanol wa s identified as a reaction product when vanillin and syringic acid wer e used as substrates. Demethoxylation of lignin by fungi can be an imp ortant step for the production of biodegradable polymers such as polyu rethanes, as a result of the transformation of methoxylated substrates into hydroxylated products. (C) 1998 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.