Lignin degradation by peroxidase in organic media: A reassessment.

The effect of horseradish peroxidase/H(2)O(2) in organic medium (dioxane/aqueous buffer, pH 5, 95:5) on the depolymerization of synthetic (dehydrogenatively polymerized) lignin was reinvestigated. In contrast to previous claims [Dordick, J. S., Marletta, M. A. & Klibanov, A. M. (1986) Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 83, 6255-6257], our results demonstrated that vigorous depolymerization of this substrate did not occur. Further, during this treatment ferulic acid was not a significant biodegradation product.