Bacteria could transform paper industry waste into useful products

May 29, 2022 |

In Canada, researchers at The University of British Columbia are studying how bacteria transform wood-derived compounds into useful chemicals. The researchers used the Canadian Light Source at the University of Saskatchewan to study an enzyme that breaks down the ring structures found in lignin, a major component of the woody biomass that is burned by the pulp and paper industry.

Using synchrotron technology, the team was able to visualize and describe this enzyme for the first time. Their results were published in the Journal of Biological Chemistry. They believe that bacteria represent a greener way of doing things. Instead of burning lignin, it could be converted by bacteria into chemicals that are usually generated by the petroleum industry.

Category: Research

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