The utilization of lignin for fungible fuels and chemicals represents one of the most imminent challenges in modern biorefineries. However, bioconversion of lignin is highly challenging due to its recalcitrant nature as a phenolic heteropolymer. This study addressed the challenges by revealing the chemical and biological mechanisms for synergistic lignin degradation by a bacterial and enzymatic system, which significantly improved lignin consumption, cell growth and lipid yield. The Rhodococcus opacus cell growth increased exponentially in response to the level of laccase treatment, indicating the synergy between laccase and bacterial cells in lignin degradation. Other treatments like iron and hydrogen peroxide showed limited impact on cell growth. Chemical analysis of lignin under various treatments further confirmed the synergy between laccase and cells at the chemical level. ³¹P nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) suggested that laccase, R. opacus cell and Fenton reaction reagents promoted the degradation of different types of lignin functional groups, elucidating the chemical basis for the synergistic effects. ³¹P NMR further revealed that laccase treatment had the most significant impact for degrading the abundant chemical groups. The results were further confirmed by the molecular weight analysis and lignin quantification by the Prussian blue assay. The cell–laccase fermentation led to a 17-fold increase of lipid production. Overall, the study indicated that laccase and R. opacus can synergize to degrade lignin efficiently, likely through rapid utilization of monomers generated by laccase to promote the reaction toward depolymerization. The study provided a potential path for more efficient lignin conversion and development of consolidated lignin conversion.

A strategy was developed to produce quality carbon fibers from industrial waste lignin. The strategy employs an enzyme-mediator system to efficiently fractionate lignin into soluble and insoluble fractions, where the latter serves as a superior carbon fiber precursor. Mechanistic studies revealed that higher MW, less hydroxy groups, and more β- O -4 linkages improve the spinnability, crystallization, and mechanical performance of carbon fibers.

Quality lignin-based carbon fiber with high mechanical performance has been made from enzyme–mediator and dialysis fractionated lignin. In particular, the elastic modulus of lignin-based carbon fiber showed good correlations with PDI.