The degradation of coniferyl alcohol and the complementary production of chlorogenic acids in the growth culture of Streptomyces albogriseolus KF977548 isolated from decaying wood residues

[Display omitted] •Chlorogenic acids were detected in the growth culture of S. albogriseolus AOB.•Key aromatic-cleaving enzymes were detected in the genome of strain AOB.•Metabolic pathways for coniferyl alcohol degradation by strain AOB was proposed.•Coniferyl alcohol was degraded completely into fragments by strain AOB within 72h. Coniferyl alcohol is one of the major precursors of lignin; the most abundant aromatic compound and a natural resource currently receiving attention because of the value-added metabolites resulting from its degradation. Growth study of Streptomyces albogriseolus KF977548 (strain AOB) isolated from decaying wood residues in a tropical estuarine ecosystem was carried out using coniferyl alcohol as a sole carbon source. Cell growth and metabolite production were monitored at 24h interval by dry weight measurements and HPLC, LC–MS-DAD analyses. Biochemical and PCR assays were carried out to detect the major catabolic enzymes of interest. Strain AOB utilized coniferyl alcohol completely within 72h (μ=0.204h−1,Td=3.4h). Laccase and peroxidase were released into the growth medium up to 0.099 and 98μmol/mL respectively. Protocatechuate 3, 4-dioxygenase and demethylase were detected in the genome whilst ortho-adipate pathway was clearly indicated. Growth on coniferyl alcohol or caffeic acid as mono substrates resulted in the production of secondary metabolites identified by HPLC–MS as 1-caffeoylquinic and 3,4,5-tricaffeoylquinic acids, known as chlorogenic acids, in the culture medium. The microbial production of chlorogenic acids from a lignin-related substrate base by strain AOB could arouse a plausible biotechnological process.