Detailed Characterization of the Conversion of Hardwood and Softwood Lignin by a Brown-Rot Basidiomycete

Wood-degrading brown-rot fungi primarily target carbohydrates, leaving the lignin modified and potentially valuable for valorization. Here, we report a comprehensive comparison of how Gloeophyllum trabeum in vitro degrades hardwood and softwood, which have fundamentally different lignin structures. By harnessing the latest advancements in analytical methodologies, we show that G. trabeum removes more lignin from wood (up to 36%) than previously reported. The brown-rot decayed lignin appeared substantially C_α-oxidized, O-demethylated, with a reduction in interunit linkages, leading to formation of substructures indicative of C_α-C_β, β-O, and O-4 cleavage. Our work shows that the G. trabeum conversion of hardwood and softwood lignin results in similar modifications, despite the structural differences. Furthermore, lignin modification by G. trabeum enhances the antioxidant capacity of the lignin and generates an extractable lower molecular weight fraction. These findings improve our understanding of lignin conversion by brown-rot fungi and highlight their biotechnological potential for the development of lignin-based products.