Recombinant Microorganisms That Catabolize Acetovanillone and Methods of Using Same

The present invention expands the substrate scope for Novo by enabling the use of the lignin-derived aromatic acetovanillone. The existing oxidative and reductive methods for lignin deconstruction result in 20% and 10% acetovanillone in their products, respectively. This discovery could lead to the creation of industrially relevant mutants that could utilize a greater portion of the lignin-derived aromatics, thereby reducing waste/increasing the value proposition of such processes. This is particularly important in facilitating adoption.