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. 2020 Jul 1;18(3):e2461.
doi: 10.30498/IJB.2020.155690.2461. eCollection 2020 Jul.

Degradation and Transformation of Lignin by a Fungus Aspergillus Flavus Strain F-1

Shuang Feng Li  1 , Huai Wang  1 , Jia Li Chen  1 , Hui Xia Zhu  1 , Ri-Sheng Yao  1 , Huan Wu  1
Affiliations

Degradation and Transformation of Lignin by a Fungus Aspergillus Flavus Strain F-1

Shuang Feng Li et al. Iran J Biotechnol. .

Abstract

Background: Lignin is the largest natural aromatic polymer in nature and is also a unique aromatic-based biopolymer, accounting for nearly 30% of the earth's organic carbon. Generally, lignin is regarded as waste and is mainly used as a low- value fuel that is burned to generate heat and energy to solve the problem of biomass waste; for this obstacle of lignin, highly efficient biodegradation plays a critical role in developing an environmentally friendly technique for lignin biotransformation.

Objectives: This study intends to isolate and purify several microbial strains from nature. It also explores how their lignin degradation is able to enhance the biodegradation and recycling of biomass and the reclamation of lignin in wastewater from pulp and paper mills.

Materials and methods: Lignin-degrading microbial strains were isolated from soil using medium containing sodium lignosulphonate as the sole carbon source. They were then screened by aniline blue and guaiacol plate, and then the best strain was chosen and identified. The conventional one-factor method was used to optimize various parameters that affect lignin's degradation ability.

Results: The strain possessing the highest lignin biodegradation ability was identified and denominated as Aspergillus Flavus F-1. After optimization, the maximum degradation rate of lignin, 44.6% within 3 days, was obtained at pH 7.0, 30 ℃, 2.5 g·L-1 ammonium sulfate, 2 g·L-1 lignin and 0.5 g·L-1 glucose. The results show the LiP and Lac secreted from Aspergillus Flavus F-1 played the main role in the degradation of lignin.

Conclusion: One microbial strain, Aspergillus Flavus F-1, was successfully isolated with a lignin-degrading ability that can cut the lignin into fragments. This provides a promising candidate for the transformation and utilization of crop waste biomass for various industrial purposes.

Keywords: Biomass; Degradation; Lignin; Aspergillus Flavus F-1.

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Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Morphologic characteristics of Aspergillus flavus strain F-1. (a) Photograph of strain F-1 colonies after 5d culture; (b) Microphotograph of strain F-1 showing the cell morphology (160×).Bar: 20 μm; (c) 10×40 times micrograph
Figure 2
Figure 2
Neighbour-joining phylogenetic tree based on the ITS sequence
Figure 3
Figure 3
Cultural characteristics of Aspergillus flavus strain F-1. (A) Growth curve of strain F-1, described by DCW (dry cell weight); (B)Lignin degradation curve of strain F-1 in 12 d liquid cultu; (C) Enzyme production curve of strain F-1
Figure 4
Figure 4
Effect of different conditions on lignin degradation by Aspergillus flavus F-1.(A) Nitrogen source concentration influence of lignin degradation on Aspergillus flavus F-1; (B) Substrate concentration influence of lignin degradation on Aspergillus flavus F-1; (C) Culture temperature influence of lignin degradation on Aspergillus flavus F-1; (D) Initial pH influence of lignin degradation on Aspergillus flavus F-1
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