Isothermal titration calorimetric assessment of lignin conversion by laccases

Lignin valorization may offer a sustainable approach to achieve a chemical industry that is not completely dependent on fossil resources for the production of aromatics. However, lignin is a recalcitrant, heterogeneous, and complex polymeric compound for which only very few catalysts can act in a predictable and reproducible manner. Laccase is one of those catalysts and has often been referred to as an ideal “green” catalyst, as it is able to oxidize various linkages within lignin to release aromatic products, with the use of molecular oxygen and formation of water as the only side product. The extent and rate of laccase-catalyzed lignin conversion were measured using the label-free analytical technique isothermal titration calorimetry (ITC). IITC provides the molar enthalpy of the reaction, which reflects the extent of conversion and the time-dependent power trace, which reflects the rate of the reaction. Calorimetric assessment of the lignin conversion brought about by various fungal and bacterial laccases in the absence of mediators showed marked differences in the extent and rate of conversion for the different enzymes. Kraft lignin conversion by Trametes versicolor laccase followed Michaelis–Menten kinetics and was characterized by the following thermodynamic and kinetic parameters ΔH_ITC = −(2.06 ± 0.06)·10³ kJ mol⁻¹, K_M = 6.6 ± 1.2 μM and V_max = 0.30 ± 0.02 U/mg at 25°C and pH 6.5. We envision calorimetric techniques as important tools for the development of enzymatic lignin valorization strategies.