BACKGROUND: A microbial electrochemical cell was designed for lignin depolymerization. Alkali-extracted wheat straw lignin was used as catholyte in a microbial fuel cell and operated for six days. At the cathode, lignin was depolymerized by H 2 O 2 , produced during microbial fuel cell operation. RESULTS: The power density reached its maximum over two to three days (0.58 W cm −2 ), and declined thereafter. Fourier transform infrared analysis of the residual lignin indicated the cleavage of C-O-C ( -O-4) bonds without disturbing the phenolic ring structure and high-power liquid chromatography analysis confirmed the presence of vanillin in the depolymerized sample. CONCLUSION: The proposed strategy involves a self-sustainable microbial electrochemical process to convert complex lignin into low molecular weight value-added aromatic chemicals such as vanillin.

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