Besides hard and soft wood, so-called low-input plants are of special interest as lignocellulose feedstock (LCF) for second generation biorefineries. This contribution presents data obtained for lignins isolated from different low-input crops: Perennial grasses of different genotype (including M. x giganteus, M. sinensis, M. robustus, M. nagara), a fast-growing tree (Paulownia) and another perennial plant (Silphium perfoliatum L.). All biomasses are harvested at specific time/season and separated (stem versus leaf). Lignin isolation is performed via non-catalyzed organosolv pulping (170°C/15 bar, varying ethanol concentration and reaction time). Lignin application is still limited due to problems regarding fast and reliable structure analysis and quality control. In our ongoing project, chemometric methods (e.g. principal component analysis, PCA) are used to process experimental data (e.g. NMR, FTIR) of lignins extracted from different biomasses. Moreover, the ratio of the three monolignol units (H, G, S) and the linkages formed between the units have been analyzed using hetero-nuclear single quantum correlation nuclear magnetic resonance (HSQC 2D-NMR). So M. x giganteus leaf-derived lignins showed about two-thirds of the G unit, whereas in stems and mixtures the G content was significantly lower. Based on HSQC, the ratio of most abundant monolignol linkages were estimated (β-arylether 55-65 %; about 10 % phenyl coumarane and resinol linkages, resp.). Unsaturated esters are most abundant in stem-lignins (up to 30 %). Compared to beech wood, Miscanthus lignins possess lower molecular weight and polydispersities (< 1.5) corresponding to improved homogeneity. PCA of FTIR data revealed distinct differences for aromatic in-plane deformations of stem versus leaf-derived lignins. Structural differences are correlated with the lignin antioxidant activity (DPPH, Folin-Ciocalteu). Low-input crop lignins are compared to kraft lignins (isolated at room temperature from aqueous solution; some purified via sequential extraction). So far, kraft lignins showed highest activities (above commercial butylhydroxytoluene (BHT). 

Composition of lignins isolated from low-input crops using chemometric data analysis: Comparative study

Macromolecular Chemistry: The Second Century

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ACS Spring 2020 National Meeting & Expo

The official archive and repository for all ACS Meetings & Expositions abstracts and select posters or presentations.