Enzymatic "combustion": the microbial degradation of lignin.

INTRODUCTION ....................................................................................................................................... 465 LIGNIN AS A SUBSTRATE ............................................................................................................................... 466 MICROBIOLOGY OF LIGNIN BIODEGRADATI ON ........................................................................... 468 Anaerobic Conditions ............................................................................................................................... 469 Aerobic Conditions ................................................................................................................................... 469 LIGNIN DEGRADATION BY WHITEROT FUNGI ............................................................................. 471 Physiology .......................................................................................................................................................... 472 Biochemistry ............................................................................................................................................ 475 Genetics ..............................................................................................................................................................486 Molecular Biology .................................................................................................................................... 489 CONCLUSIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS ..................................................................................... 491 ENZYMATIC “COMBUSTION” ........................................................................................................................ 493