Chemical and Biotechnological Approaches for Producing Homogeneous Aromatic Polymer Feedstock From Heterogeneous Lignin

Abstract

Lignin is an abundant organic compound and has attracted attention as a potential raw material. However, its heterogeneous chemical structure burdens to produce homogeneous material. The authors are studying on development of technologies to produce homogeneous aromatic materials from lignin by overcoming its heterogeneity. This commentary article introduces the straight-through and interdisciplinary approach to lignin conversion, consisting of (1) Optimization of lignin depolymerization [Parameters of alkaline copper hydroxide oxidative depolymerization were optimized to maximize the yield of aromatic monomers suitable for bioproduction]; (2) Construction of vanillate-producing microorganisms [Sphingobium lignivorans SYK-6 and Pseudomonas sp. NGC7 were engineered to produce vanillate selectively]; (3) Synthesis of value-added aromatic polymers [poly (ethylene vanillate) was synthesized from crude vanillate obtained from bioproduction, and vanillate-derived vinyl monomers were applied to prepare toner particles].