Development of Enrichment Cultures That Degrade Lignin

2009 DOT-RITA Center Award

Principal Investigators and affiliations:
PI: Dr. Babu Fathepure (Microbiology and Molecular Genetics, Oklahoma State University)
Co-PI: Dr. Mark Wilkins (Oklahoma State University)
Co-PI: Dr. Marthah DeLorme (Oklahoma State University)

Funded: $43,466

Start Date: 03/01/2009

End Date: 08/31/2010

Expected Outcomes

We will identify an enrichment culture capable of delignification of crops residues when used alone or in conjunction with physical, chemical, or enzymatic pretreatment techniques for cost-effective conversion of lignocellulosic materials to ethanol.

In addition, the enrichment culture developed from this study can serve as an important source for isolating pure cultures and for studying genes and enzymes involved in the degradation of lignin since little is known about lignin-degrading bacteria, genes and enzymes.