Effect of Superoxide Dismutase and Low Molecular Mediators on Lignin Degradation

As the biodegradation of wood constituents has been understood as a multi-basidiomycetes and enzymatic processes, this review will focus on the roles of low molecular compounds and radicals working in harmony with fungal enzymes. Wood rotting basidiomycete fungi penetrate wood, and lead to more easily metabolize carbohydrates of the wood complex. The white-rot fungi, having versatile enzymes, are able to attack directly the "lignin barrier". They also use a multi-enzyme system including so-called "feedback" type enzymes allowing for simultaneous degradation of lignin and carbohydrates. The multi-enzymes including laccase support the proposed route by explaining how the high molecular weight enzymes can function in the wood complex. These enzymes may function separately or cooperate each other. In addition, veratryl alcohol oxidase, cellobiose dehydrogenase, arylalcohol dehydrogenase, and particularly low molecular mediators and radicals have an important role in wood biodegradation. However, the possibility of other mechanism as well as other enzymes, as operating as feedback systems in the process of wood degradation, could not be excluded.