Identification of pathways for the catabolism of lignin-derived aromatic compounds in Xanthomonas axonopodis pv citri

• Grant number: 19/08590-8
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Doctorate
• Start date: March 01, 2020
• End date: February 29, 2024
• Field of knowledge: Biological Sciences - Biochemistry - Biochemistry of Microorganisms
• Principal Investigator: Priscila Oliveira de Giuseppe
• Grantee: Damaris Batistão Martim
• Host Institution: Centro Nacional de Pesquisa em Energia e Materiais (CNPEM). Campinas , SP, Brazil

Abstract

Lignin is an aromatic heteropolymer that accounts for about 30% of the organic carbon available in our biosphere. In plants, it confers mechanical resistance to cells, support to the vascular system and resistance against pathogens. In industry, it is one of the main byproducts of the paper and cellulosic ethanol manufacturing process, being produced in the range of thousands of tons per year. Although it is a promising source of renewable aromatic compounds for the chemical industry, lignin's current fate has been burning for energy production. This is partly due to the lack of consolidated processes for converting it to higher value-added products. One of the main bottlenecks for lignin valorization is its structural heterogeneity. The depolymerization of lignin results in a heterogeneous mixture, which poses considerable technical challenges for reaching high purity products. In this context, microorganisms capable of converting this heterogeneity into central carbon metabolism compounds have been widely studied in order to develop a biotechnological solution to this issue. Few bacterial species, such as Pseudomonas putida, have been studied and genetically modified for this purpose. However, other apparently promising species, such as those from the genus Xanthomonas, remain largely unexplored. Thus, the scope of this project is to identify conversion routes of lignin-derived aromatic compounds, using Xanthomonas axonopodis pv citri as a model. With this, we hope to reveal genes that may be useful for the development of microbial platforms for lignin valorization. (AU)

Scientific publications

(References retrieved automatically from Web of Science and SciELO through information on FAPESP grants and their corresponding numbers as mentioned in the publications by the authors)

MARTIM, DAMARIS B.; BRILHANTE, ANNA J. V. C.; LIMA, AUGUSTO R.; PAIXAO, DOUGLAS A. A.; MARTINS-JUNIOR, JOAQUIM; KASHIWAGI, FERNANDA M.; WOLF, LUCIA D.; COSTA, MARIANY S.; MENEZES, FABRICIA F.; PRATA, RAFAELA; et al. Resolving the metabolism of monolignols and other lignin-related aromatic compounds in Xanthomonas citri. NATURE COMMUNICATIONS, v. 15, n. 1, p. 17-pg., 2024-09-12. (19/06921-7, 19/08590-8, 21/07139-0, 22/01070-1)

DE MENEZES, FABRICIA FARIAS; MARTIM, DAMARIS BATISTAO; LING, LIU YI; MULATO, ALINE TIEPPO NOGUEIRA; CRESPIM, ELAINE; OLIVEIRA, JULIANA VELASCO DE CASTRO; DRIEMEIER, CARLOS EDUARDO; DE GIUSEPPE, PRISCILA OLIVEIRA; ROCHA, GEORGE JACKSON DE MORAES. Exploring the compatibility between hydrothermal depolymerization of alkaline lignin from sugarcane bagasse and metabolization of the aromatics by bacteria. International Journal of Biological Macromolecules, v. 223, p. 8-pg., 2022-11-09. (19/22213-2, 19/06921-7, 22/00474-1, 19/08590-8)

Academic Publications

(References retrieved automatically from State of São Paulo Research Institutions)

MARTIM, Damaris Batistão. Investigation of lignin-related aromatic compounds metabolism in a Xanthomonas phytopathogen. 2024. Doctoral Thesis - Universidade Estadual de Campinas (UNICAMP). Instituto de Biologia Campinas, SP.