The enzymatic conversion of lignins, possibly in combination with electrochemical oxidation, makes aromatics such as syringol, guaiacol, vanillin and catechol available in the qualities required by the fragrance industry. The lignins were obtained by soda digestion from wheat straw and Miscanthus, characterized and then converted with laccases. The overall yield amounted up to 9 wt % with a product spectrum confined to four substances. Catechol was the major product, with a fraction of 75 %. It can easily be isolated by extraction with acetone.

The authors argue that a large part of economic competencies in adolescents are likely to be acquired in informal settings because generally economic education is taught only to a small amount in German schools. In order to assess the very character and extend of informal learning in economic education the authors explain the theoretic background and present a pilot project (ECOS -Economic Competencies Study). We assume that performance in a simulated online environment is regarded as an indicator for competencies. With this method informally acquired competencies in economic education are to be quantitatively assessed. JEL-Classification: A21, I21

The authors argue that a large part of economic competencies in adolescents are likely to be acquired in informal settings because generally economic education is taught only to a small amount in German schools. In order to assess the very character and extend of informal learning in economic education the authors explain the theoretic background and present a pilot project (ECOS -Economic Competencies Study). We assume that performance in a simulated online environment is regarded as an indicator for competencies. With this method informally acquired competencies in economic education are to be quantitatively assessed. JEL-Classification: A21, I21