Alkyl-phenyl cleavage of the lignin model compounds guaiacylglycol and glycerol-?-guaiacyl ether by Phanerochaete chrysosporium

Abstract

The white rot basidiomycete Phanerochaete chrysosporium metabolized guaiacylglycol-β-guaiacyl ether (I) in high nitrogen, shaking and stationary cultures. 2-(o-Methoxyphenoxy) ethanol (X), 2-(o-methoxyphenoxy) acetic acid (IX) and methoxy-phydroquinone (MHQ) were identified as products of the metabolism of (I). P. chrysosporium also metabolized guaiacylglycerol-β-guaiacyl ether (IV) in high nitrogen stationary cultures. 2-(o-Methoxyphenoxy)-1,3 propanediol (XII) and 3-hydroxy, 2-(o-methoxy-phenyxy) propionic acid (XIV) were identified as products of the metabolism of (IV). Finally, P. chrysosporium metabolized α-deoxyguaiacylglycol-β-guaiacyl ether (VI) and α-deoxyguaiacylglycerol-β-guaiacyl ether (VII) in limiting nitrogen cultures. 2-(o-Methoxyphenoxy) ethanol (X) and 2-(o-methoxyphenoxy)-1,3 propanediol (XII) were identified as products of the metabolism of VI and VII respectively indicating α hydroxylation of those substrates with subsequent alkyl-phenyl bond cleavage. Metabolites were identified after comparison with chemically synthesized standards by GLC-mass spectrometry.