The effect of hydrothermal treatment on lignin of two Paulownia wood species, namely P. elongata and P. tomentosa, was studied. The genus Paulownia is one of the fastest growing hardwoods making it an attractive species for hydrothermal treatment in a lignocellulosic biorefinery. Milled wood samples were extracted with hot-water after which the wood meal was filtered and the recovered hydrolysate was acidified and ultrafiltrated. The retentate collected after ultrafiltration was analyzed by 2D-HSQC and the permeate was extracted with ethyl acetate and analyzed by GC/MS for lignin degradation products. The filtered wood meal was tested for residual lignin content, free phenolic hydroxyl group content and S/G ratio and these results were compared with native wood. Changes in the structural composition of lignin will help in understanding the chemistry of lignin from the Paulownia species under hydrothermal treatment conditions. Potential applications of the recovered lignin/lignin degradation products will be discussed.

Effect of hydrothermal treatment on lignin of two <i>Paulownia</i> species

243rd National Meeting (2012)

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

Effect of hydrothermal treatment on lignin of two Paulownia species