TY - JOUR

T1 - The role of molecular weight in the enzyme-inhibiting effect of phenolics: the significance in peatland carbon sequestration

AU - Dunn, Christian

AU - Freeman, Christopher

PY - 2018/4/15

Y1 - 2018/4/15

N2 - Northern peatlands store 455 Pg of carbon–a third of the entire global carbon store. Carbon accumulates because phenolic inhibitors slow the rate of decomposition to below that of photosynthetic production. The disproportionate importance of phenolics in peatlands is related to the unique properties of waterlogged peat soils suppressing the activity of phenol oxidase; one of the few enzymes capable of breaking these inhibitors down (a role often referred to as the “enzymic latch”). This permits accumulation of phenolic compounds that are potent inhibitors of hydrolase enzymes–major agents in the breakdown of organic matter. In our study we investigate the importance of the molecular weight of phenolics on levels of inhibition of microbial decomposition in peat. We found the higher the molecular weight, of a phenolic compound, the greater its inhibitory effect on the breakdown of organic matter.

AB - Northern peatlands store 455 Pg of carbon–a third of the entire global carbon store. Carbon accumulates because phenolic inhibitors slow the rate of decomposition to below that of photosynthetic production. The disproportionate importance of phenolics in peatlands is related to the unique properties of waterlogged peat soils suppressing the activity of phenol oxidase; one of the few enzymes capable of breaking these inhibitors down (a role often referred to as the “enzymic latch”). This permits accumulation of phenolic compounds that are potent inhibitors of hydrolase enzymes–major agents in the breakdown of organic matter. In our study we investigate the importance of the molecular weight of phenolics on levels of inhibition of microbial decomposition in peat. We found the higher the molecular weight, of a phenolic compound, the greater its inhibitory effect on the breakdown of organic matter.

KW - Molecular weight; Phenolics; Enzymic latch; Peatlands; Decomposition; Hydrolases

U2 - 10.1016/j.ecoleng.2017.06.036

DO - 10.1016/j.ecoleng.2017.06.036

M3 - Article

VL - 114

SP - 162

EP - 166

JO - Ecological Engineering

JF - Ecological Engineering

SN - 0925-8574

ER -