ABSTRACT
Lignin is an underutilized component of lignocellulosic biomass, and its conversion into value-added chemicals is still a major challenge for biorefineries. The heterogeneity of lignin present in biomass makes the bioprocess difficult for its conversion into value-added products. In nature, microbes are responsible for the degradation of recalcitrant biomass through biocatalysis. Some microbes have evolved to depolymerize lignin by a set of lignolytic enzymes and further utilize lignin-derived aromatic compounds for their energy and growth supply. However, sustainable bioprocessing requires refined lignin depolymerization from biomass for targeted compounds, which involve optimized microbe-enzyme synergy. In recent years, the advancement of biotechnological tools has also helped to design microbial cell factories for desired lignin bioconversion by combining microbial lignolytic capacities. The present book chapter deals with the potential lignolytic microbial candidates, involvement of lignolytic enzymes, metabolic engineering for lignin valorization, and process integration of microbial lignolytic capacity for biorefineries. In the future, the application of widespread information for lignin bioconversion might reach the sustainable and economically viable lignin biorefinery.
