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Biodegradation of ferulic acid by a newly isolated strain of Cupriavidus sp. B-8

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Abstract

As a major component of lignin and abundantly existing in softwood and hardwood, ferulic acid has been used as a lignin-related compound for lignin biodegradation study. Biodegradation of ferulic acid by Cupriavidus sp. B-8, a newly isolated strain, was studied. This strain is able to utilize a wide range of lignin-related aromatic compounds as the sole carbon and energy source, including guaiacol, veratric acid, vanillic acid, cinnamic acid, p-coumaric acid, ferulic acid, and sinapic acid. In addition, the effects of different concentrations of ferulic acid on growth of Cupriavidus sp. B-8 were studied. The growth of Cupriavidus sp. B-8 is better under the condition of lower concentration. High-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) analysis reveals that above 95% of ferulic acid is degraded within 12 h by Cupriavidus sp. B-8. Based on identification of biodegradation intermediates and further metabolites, the biodegradation pathway of ferulic acid by Cupriavidus sp. B-8 was proposed. Ferulic acid is initially converted to 4-vinylguaiacol, and further oxidized to vanillic acid and protocatechuic acid.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. National Engineering Research Center for Pollution Control of Heavy Metal (Institute of Environmental Science and Engineering, School of Metallurgical Science and Engineering, Central South University), Changsha, 410083, China

    Li-yuan Chai  (柴立元), Huan Zhang  (张欢), Wei-chun Yang  (杨卫春), Zhi-hui Yang  (杨志辉), Yu Zheng  (郑玉) & Yue-hui Chen  (陈跃辉)

  2. State Key Laboratory of Chemo/Biosensing and Chemometrics (College of Biology, Hunan University), Changsha, 410082, China

    Yong-hua Zhu  (朱咏华)

Authors
  1. Li-yuan Chai  (柴立元)
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  2. Huan Zhang  (张欢)
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  3. Wei-chun Yang  (杨卫春)
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  4. Yong-hua Zhu  (朱咏华)
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  5. Zhi-hui Yang  (杨志辉)
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  6. Yu Zheng  (郑玉)
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  7. Yue-hui Chen  (陈跃辉)
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Wei-chun Yang  (杨卫春).

Additional information

Foundation item: Project(50925417) supported by the National Science Fund for Distinguished Young Scholars of China; Project(50830301) supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China; Project(2011467062) supported by National Research Fund for Public Benefit (Environmental Protection) Industries, China

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Chai, Ly., Zhang, H., Yang, Wc. et al. Biodegradation of ferulic acid by a newly isolated strain of Cupriavidus sp. B-8. J. Cent. South Univ. 20, 1964–1970 (2013). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11771-013-1696-3

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11771-013-1696-3

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