Kraft lignin biobleaching by a dye-decolorizing peroxidase from the Antarctic Pseudomonas sp. AU10 strain

Pseudomonas sp. AU10 is an Antarctic psychrotolerant bacterium that produces a dye-decolorizing peroxidase (DyP-AU10). The recombinant enzyme (rDyP-AU10) is a heme-peroxidase that decolors dyes and modifies kraft lignin. In this work, we report the best activity parameters for lignin modification (at 45 °C and pH 4) and show that the enzyme increases the number of aldehydes, ketones, and phenolic compounds. The analyses of the HPLC profile of samples also support that rDyP-AU10 induces the chemical change of kraft lignin. The enzyme also acts as a biobleaching agent on cellulose pulps, as shown by the reduction in kappa number. We also included experiments with a commercial laccase from Trametes versicolor and performed experiments using single enzymes and, in combination. The results show that rDyP-AU10 and the commercial laccase do not have a synergic activity as a modifying system, on cellulose pulp as substrates. However, results suggest that rDyP-AU10 holds potential as a member of the portfolio of lignin-modifying enzymes.