Depolymerization of lignin using laccase from Bacillus sp. PCH94 for production of valuable chemicals: A sustainable approach for lignin valorization.

Lignin is the most abundant aromatic polymer in nature, and its depolymerization offers excellent opportunities to develop renewable aromatic chemicals. In the present study, Bacillus sp. PCH94 was investigated for laccase production and lignin depolymerization. Maximum production of laccase enzyme was achieved within 6.0 h at 50 °C on a natural lignocellulosic substrate. Furthermore, Bacillus sp. PCH94 was used to bioconvert lignin dimeric and polymeric substrates, validated using FT-IR, NMR (H, C), and LCMS. Genome mining of Bacillus sp. PCH94 revealed laccase gene (lac) as multicopper oxidase (spore coat CotA). Further, lac from Bacillus sp. PCH94 was cloned, expressed, and kinetically characterized. Lac enzyme showed activity for substrates ABTS (40.64 IU/mg), guaiacol (5.43 IU/mg), and DMP (11.93 IU/mg). The Lac was active in higher temperatures (10 to 100 °C) and showed a half-life of 36 and 27 h at 50 and 60 °C, respectively. The purified Lac was able to depolymerize kraft lignin into valuable products (ferulic acid and acetovanillone), which have applications in the pharmaceutical and food industries. Overall, the current study demonstrated the role of bacterial laccase in the depolymerization of lignin and opened a promising prospect for the green production of valuable compounds from recalcitrant lignin.