Prospecting bacteria with potential to demethylate aromatic compounds derived from lignin

• Grant number: 25/00523-0
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Scientific Initiation
• Start date: April 01, 2025
• End date: March 31, 2026
• Field of knowledge: Biological Sciences - Biochemistry - Biochemistry of Microorganisms
• Principal Investigator: Fernanda Miyuki Kashiwagi
• Grantee: Maria Fernanda Carvalhal Perrotta
• Host Institution: Centro Nacional de Pesquisa em Energia e Materiais (CNPEM). Campinas , SP, Brazil
• Associated research grant: 23/11786-7 - Investigation and rational engineering of molecular mechanisms for the bioconversion of aromatic compounds, AP.R

Abstract

Lignin, the second most abundant biopolymer in the world, is found in plant biomass and is known for its resistance to depolymerization and complex structure. Utilizing aromatic catabolic pathways from bacteria can create new opportunities to overcome the challenges of lignin utilization, allowing for the production of various industrially relevant molecules from this biopolymer. Certain bacteria that naturally degrade lignin or metabolize aromatic compounds are promising options for lignin valorization. Among them, the safe and non-pathogenic strain Pseudomonas putida KT2440 has gained attention. Although it presents metabolic pathways for converting aromatic compounds, some enzymatic steps, such as the O-demethylation of aromatic compounds with methoxy groups, are limiting and crucial. Therefore, this work aims to prospect bacteria capable of metabolizing aromatic compounds, identifying new genes involved in limiting metabolic pathways in the lignin bioconversion process, which could contribute to the development of more efficient microbial platforms for converting lignin-derived compounds.