Lipase-mediated oxidative delignification in non-aqueous media: formation of de-aromatized lignin-oil and cellulase-accessible polysaccharides

Abstract

Pulp & Oil: We report the unprecedented formation of de-aromatized lignin oil together with a white polysaccharide fraction when lignocellulose is treated with peracids, which are formed in situ by enzymes. A preliminary characterization of the lignin oil is provided, together with the evidence that the delignified lignocellulose is accessible to cellulases to afford fermentable sugars. As a first proof-of-concept, the reported approach may bring promising new research lines in the future.