Modification of Lignin and Lignin Rich Fibers via Oxoreductase Enzymes Oxidation of Isolated Lignin with Laccase Lignin preparations from either pulping

Oxidation of Isolated Lignin with Laccase Lignin preparations from either pulping processes or from known isolation techniques have been treated with laccase relatively infrequently. This may be due to the media in which the lignin is isolated, since lignin is not water-soluble and laccase enzymes function optimally in aqueous environments. The reaction of laccase with insoluble lignin would be inefficient compared to activity with dissolved lignin due to improved accessibility of the substrate in solution. Nevertheless, there have been a few studies involving milled wood lignin (MWL), black liquor lignins (BLL), lignosulfonates and organosolv lignin. In addition to revealing the effects of laccase with lignin substrates, these experiments have been performed in an effort to find potential uses for lignin waste products from pulp and paper manufacture. In the following discussion, systems where laccase in solution was reacted with insoluble lignin will be referred to as heterogeneous systems and systems where all the components were in solution will be referred to as homogenous systems.