Biotransformation of lignin polymers derived from beech wood pulping by Sporobolomyces roseus isolated from leafy material

The ability of the yeast, Sporobolomyces roseus, isolated from leafy material, to modify lignin derived from beechwood pulping was examined by FTIR and C-13 NMR spectroscopy, which revealed oxidative cleavage of the C-alpha-C-beta linkages between lignin units. Using veratryl alcohol as a model substrate confirmed that Sp. roseus could oxidize veratryl alcohol into veratric acid. This yeast might be suitable for the pretreatment of lignocellulosic materials and/or for biotransformation of technical lignins.