Abstract
Lignin is the most abundant renewable organic polymer on Earth, making it a promising source for biofuel, an alternative to conventional fossil fuels. Unfortunately, lignin is significantly difficult to valorize due to its complex structure which gives plants their toughness and strength. The Rhodococcus genus of bacteria has been observed to contain multiple enzymes which are able to degrade aromatics such as those found in lignin, making it a possible path to its valorization. Rhodococcus opacus PD630 in particular is capable of storing up to 80% of its cell dry weight as lipids, making it a highly desirable starting point for the production of lipid-based biofuels. Most studies currently being conducted require significant alteration to lignin, modifications which are very expensive and time consuming. This study will assess and perform extrachromosomal modifications to R. opacus PD630 in order to increase its lipid biosynthesis and lignin metabolic degradation capabilities to more industrially compatible levels compared to unmodified strains. With these modifications, R. opacus PD630 will have its lipid production compared to an unmodified strain when both are grown in minimal media with lignin as the sole carbon source in order to verify the efficacy of the transformation for lignin valorization.