Pyrolysis-GC/MS (Py-GC/MS) is an analytical technique that can provide compositional and structure information about the holocellulose and lignin components in biomass. Samples are rapidly pyrolyzed, and the resulting pyrolysates are transferred to a GC column for analysis. Pyrolysates produced are characteristic of the biomass source and provide insight into the range of products that can be expected when biomass feedstocks are subjected to fast thermal depolymerization processes. Our current studies are focused on the characterization of lignin in energy crops such as switchgrass and high lignin feedstocks such as walnut shells and peach pits. Py-GC/MS analysis of wild type and mutated arabidopsis has also been utilized in order to understand the changes in lignin composition and structure induced during genetic mutations. To this end, we have developed a method for the determination of syringyl:guaiacyl (S:G) ratios in lignin based on Py-GC/MS calibration using mixtures of sinapyl and coniferyl alcohols.

Pyrolysis-GC/MS characterization of biomass

244th National Meeting (2012)

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