Degradation of synthetic lignins and some lignin monomers by the yeastRhodotorula glutinis.

Rhodotorula glutinis degraded variously(14)C-labelled synthetic lignins in the presence of 0.1% glucose as co-substrate. Side chain-labelled DHP was degraded the most. While this yeastutilized vanillate and forulate for growth, sinapate/syringate were poorly or not degraded. Gallate, protocatechuate and acetate also supported growth. [carboxy-(14)C]Syringate was rapidly converted to(14)CO2 by the yeast only in presence of glucose while [carboxy-(14)C]vanillate did not require any additional cosubstrate for mineralization. Ring-labelled vanillyl alcohol was also dagraded proving that the yeast could rapidly metabolize guaiacyl structures while syringyl structures required the presence of additional energy sources.