Search

Pyrone-2,4-dicarboxylic acid (PDC) is a valuable polymer precursor that can be derived from the microbial degradation of lignin. The key enzyme in the microbial production of PDC is 4-carboxy-2-hydroxymuconate-6-semialdehyde (CHMS) dehydrogenase, which acts on the substrate CHMS. We present the crystal structure of CHMS dehydrogenase (PmdC from Comamonas testosteroni) bound to the cofactor NADP, shedding light on its three-dimensional architecture, and revealing residues responsible for binding NADP. Using a combination of structural homology, molecular docking, and quantum chemistry calculations, we have predicted the binding site of CHMS. Key histidine residues in a conserved sequence are identified as crucial for binding the hydroxyl group of CHMS and facilitating dehydrogenation with NADP. Mutating these histidine residues results in a loss of enzyme activity, leading to a proposed model for the enzyme's mechanism. These findings are expected to help guide efforts in protein and metabolic engineering to enhance PDC yields in biological routes to polymer feedstock synthesis.

This study investigated cellobionate production from a lignocellulosic substrate using Neurospora crassa HL10. Utilizing NaOH-pretreated wheat straw as the substrate obviated the need for an exogenous redox mediator addition, as lignin contained in the pretreated wheat served as a natural mediator. The low laccase production by N. crassa HL10 on pretreated wheat straw caused slow cellobionate production, and exogenous laccase addition accelerated the process. Cycloheximide induced substantial laccase production in N. crassa HL10, enabling the strain to yield approximately 57 mM cellobionate from pretreated wheat straw (equivalent to 20 g/L cellulose), shortening the conversion time from 8 to 6 days. About 92% of the cellulose contained in the pretreated wheat straw is converted to cellobionate. In contrast to existing methods requiring pure cellobiose or cellulase enzymes, this process efficiently converts a low-cost feedstock into cellobionate at a high yield without enzyme or redox mediator supplementation.

Modification of lignin in feedstocks via genetic engineering aims to reduce biomass recalcitrance to facilitate efficient conversion processes. These improvements can be achieved by expressing exogenous enzymes that interfere with native biosynthetic pathways responsible for the production of the lignin precursors. In planta expression of a bacterial 3-dehydroshikimate dehydratase in poplar trees reduced lignin content and altered the monomer composition, which enabled higher yields of sugars after cell wall polysaccharide hydrolysis. Understanding how plants respond to such genetic modifications at the transcriptional and metabolic levels is needed to facilitate further improvement and field deployment. In this work, we acquired fundamental knowledge on lignin-modified poplar expressing 3-dehydroshikimate dehydratase using RNA-seq and metabolomics. The data clearly demonstrate that changes in gene expression and metabolite abundance can occur in a strict spatiotemporal fashion, revealing tissue-specific responses in the xylem, phloem, or periderm. In the poplar line that exhibited the strongest reduction in lignin, we found that 3% of the transcripts had altered expression levels and ~19% of the detected metabolites had differential abundance in the xylem from older stems. The changes affected predominantly the shikimate and phenylpropanoid pathways as well as secondary cell wall metabolism, and resulted in significant accumulation of hydroxybenzoates derived from protocatechuate and salicylate.

Schizophyllum commune is a mushroom-forming fungus notable for its distinctive fruiting bodies with split gills. It is used as a model organism to study mushroom development, lignocellulose degradation and mating type loci. It is a hypervariable species with considerable genetic and phenotypic diversity between the strains. In this study, we systematically phenotyped 16 dikaryotic strains for aspects of mushroom development and 18 monokaryotic strains for lignocellulose degradation. There was considerable heterogeneity among the strains regarding these phenotypes. The majority of the strains developed mushrooms with varying morphologies, although some strains only grew vegetatively under the tested conditions. Growth on various carbon sources showed strain-specific profiles. The genomes of seven monokaryotic strains were sequenced and analyzed together with six previously published genome sequences. Moreover, the related species Schizophyllum fasciatum was sequenced. Although there was considerable genetic variation between the genome assemblies, the genes related to mushroom formation and lignocellulose degradation were well conserved. These sequenced genomes, in combination with the high phenotypic diversity, will provide a solid basis for functional genomics analyses of the strains of S. commune.

BACKGROUND: Sclerotinia spp. are generalist fungal pathogens, infecting over 700 plant hosts worldwide, including major crops. While host resistance is the most sustainable and cost-effective method for disease management, complete resistance to Sclerotinia diseases is rare. We recently identified soft basal stem as a potential susceptibility factor to Sclerotinia minor infection in lettuce (Lactuca sativa) under greenhouse conditions. RESULTS: Analysis of stem and root cell wall composition in five L. sativa and one L. serriola accessions with varying growth habits and S. minor resistance levels revealed strong association between hemicellulose constituents, lignin polymers, disease phenotypes, and basal stem mechanical strength. Accessions resistant to basal stem degradation consistently exhibited higher levels of syringyl, guaiacyl, and xylose, but lower levels of fucose in stems. These findings suggest that stem cell wall polymers recalcitrant to breakdown by lignocellulolytic enzymes may contribute to stem strength-mediated resistance against S. minor. CONCLUSIONS: The lignin content, particularly guaiacyl and syringyl, along with xylose could potentially serve as biomarkers for identifying more resistant lettuce accessions and breeding lines. Basal stem degradation by S. minor was influenced by localized microenvironment conditions around the stem base of the plants.

Many insects have evolved the ability to manipulate plant growth to generate extraordinary structures called galls, in which insect larva can develop while being sheltered and feeding on the plant. In particular, cynipid (Hymenoptera: Cynipidae) wasps have evolved to form morphologically complex galls and generate an astonishing array of gall shapes, colors, and sizes. However, the biochemical basis underlying these remarkable cellular and developmental transformations remains poorly understood. A key determinant in plant cellular development is cell wall deposition that dictates the physical form and physiological function of newly developing cells, tissues, and organs. However, it is unclear to what degree cell walls are restructured to initiate and support the formation of new gall tissue. Here, we characterize the molecular alterations underlying gall development using a combination of metabolomic, histological, and biochemical techniques to elucidate how valley oak (Quercus lobata) leaf cells are reprogrammed to form galls. Strikingly, gall development involves an exceptionally coordinated spatial deposition of lignin and xylan to form de novo gall vasculature. Our results highlight how cynipid wasps can radically change the metabolite profile and restructure the cell wall to enable the formation of galls, providing insights into the mechanism of gall induction and the extent to which plants can be entirely reprogrammed to form unique structures and organs.

Laccases from white-rot fungi catalyze lignin depolymerization, a critical first step to upgrading lignin to valuable biodiesel fuels and chemicals. In this study, a wildtype laccase from the basidiomycete Fomitiporia mediterranea (Fom_lac) and a variant engineered to have a carbohydrate-binding module (Fom_CBM) were studied for their ability to catalyze cleavage of β-O-4 ether and C-C bonds in phenolic and non-phenolic lignin dimers using a nanostructure-initiator mass spectrometry-based assay. Fom_lac and Fom_CBM catalyze β-O-4 ether and C-C bond breaking, with higher activity under acidic conditions (pH < 6). The potential of Fom_lac and Fom_CBM to enhance saccharification yields from untreated and ionic liquid pretreated pine was also investigated. Adding Fom_CBM to mixtures of cellulases and hemicellulases improved sugar yields by 140% on untreated pine and 32% on cholinium lysinate pretreated pine when compared to the inclusion of Fom_lac to the same mixtures. Adding either Fom_lac or Fom_CBM to mixtures of cellulases and hemicellulases effectively accelerates enzymatic hydrolysis, demonstrating its potential applications for lignocellulose valorization. We postulate that additional increases in sugar yields for the Fom_CBM enzyme mixtures were due to Fom_CBM being brought more proximal to lignin through binding to either cellulose or lignin itself.

Sustainably grown biomass is a promising alternative to produce fuels and chemicals and reduce the dependency on fossil energy sources. However, the efficient conversion of lignocellulosic biomass into biofuels and bioproducts often requires extensive testing of components and reaction conditions used in the pretreatment, saccharification, and bioconversion steps. This restriction can result in a significant and unwieldy number of combinations of biomass types, solvents, microbial strains, and operational parameters that need to be characterized, turning these efforts into a daunting and time-consuming task. Here we developed a high-throughput feedstocks-to-fuels screening platform to address these challenges. The result is a miniaturized semi-automated platform that leverages the capabilities of a solid handling robot, a liquid handling robot, analytical instruments, and a centralized data repository, adapted to operate as an ionic-liquid-based biomass conversion pipeline. The pipeline was tested by using sorghum as feedstock, the biocompatible ionic liquid cholinium phosphate as pretreatment solvent, a one-pot process configuration that does not require ionic liquid removal after pretreatment, and an engineered strain of the yeast Rhodosporidium toruloides that produces the jet-fuel precursor bisabolene as a conversion microbe. By the simultaneous processing of 48 samples, we show that this configuration and reaction conditions result in sugar yields (~70%) and bisabolene titers (~1500 mg/L) that are comparable to the efficiencies observed at larger scales but require only a fraction of the time. We expect that this Feedstocks-to-Fuels pipeline will become an effective tool to screen thousands of bioenergy crop and feedstock samples and assist process optimization efforts and the development of predictive deconstruction approaches.

Silicon oxide (SiO x) exhibits promising potential as a lithium-ion battery anode. However, its practical application is impeded by low electrical conductivity and significant volumetric expansion. To overcome these limitations, we developed a novel co-precipitation and selectively etching approach that leveraged the nitrogen-retaining effect of ZnNCN to prepare an edge-nitrogen-enriched carbon/SiO x composite (NEC@LC-SiO x). This NEC@LC-SiO x showed enhanced electrical conductivity and reduced volumetric expansion. Our innovative approach effectively prevented excessive decomposition of nitrogen species, resulting in a high nitrogen doping content of 21.67 at.% while maintaining a stable structure and mitigated volume expansion during charging and discharging. Consequently, the prepared NEC@LC-SiO x exhibited excellent performance as an anode material for lithium-ion batteries, demonstrating a high reversible specific capacity of 802 mAh/g and outstanding rate capability. This work presents a novel strategy for designing high-performance SiO x anode materials. [Display omitted] • The nitrogen-enriched lignin carbon/SiO x composite was synthesized as a anode material for lithium storage. • The nitrogen-enriched lignin carbon/SiO x composite had an ultrahigh N content of 21.67 at.%. • The nitrogen-enriched lignin carbon/SiO x composite exhibited a high specific capacity of 802 mAh/g. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A hydrogel that is expected as a biomedical load‐bearing material remains a substantial challenge. In this work, a multi‐solvent‐induced gradient aggregation state strategy is developed to construct lignin‐based supramolecular hydrogels that feature superstrong, tough, stretchable, and fatigue‐resistant properties. The multi‐solvent high‐temperature annealing induces the gradient crystallization of polyvinyl alcohol and the self‐assembly of lignin. The interior strong hydrogen‐binding and the external weak non‐covalent‐binding forms a gradient aggregation state microstructure and compact macrostructure, where lignin acts as an interfacial molecular bridge. By sharing interconnection points to collaboratively dissipate energy, the developed hydrogels demonstrate high modulus (74.4 MPa), toughness (90 MJ m−3), tear (34,000 J m−2), tensile (24.8 MPa), and compressive strength (60 MPa). Moreover, such lignin‐based supramolecular hydrogels also exhibit extraordinary fatigue resistance, biocompatibility, and reactive oxygen species scavenging activity. This gradient non‐covalent conjoined‐network caused by multi‐solvent high‐temperature annealing provides a new design strategy and potential for developing biomaterials that mimic biomedical load‐bearing materials (e.g., natural tendons and ligaments). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The majority of carbon materials on the market are produced from polyacrylonitrile precursor fibers using high‐temperature oven processes. Despite approaches for green carbon fiber precursors, current stabilization and carbonization processes require large amounts of energy and render carbon materials costly and environmentally not sustainable. Here, a plasma carbonization treatment is employed for papers made from lignin/polyvinylpyrrolidone precursor fibers. The process provides carbonization within a timeframe of a few seconds, while the degrees of porosity, conductivity, and hydrophobicity can be tuned. It is shown that the properties of these carbonized papers are suitable for application as supercapacitor electrodes with capacitances in the range of 40 mF g−1 with very good cycling stability dropping by less than 20% over 4000 cycles. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Phenolic compounds of land plants are varied: they are chemodiverse, are sourced from different biosynthetic routes and fulfil a broad spectrum of functions that range from signalling phytohormones, to protective shields against stressors, to structural compounds. Their action defines the biology of land plants as we know it. Often, their roles are tied to environmental responses that, however, impacted already the algal progenitors of land plants, streptophyte algae. Indeed, many streptophyte algae successfully dwell in terrestrial habitats and have homologues for enzymatic routes for the production of important phenolic compounds, such as the phenylpropanoid pathway. Here, we synthesize what is known about the production of specialized phenolic compounds across hundreds of millions of years of streptophyte evolution. We propose an evolutionary scenario in which selective pressures borne out of environmental cues shaped the chemodiversity of phenolics in streptophytes. This article is part of the theme issue 'The evolution of plant metabolism'. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The growing demand for cotton and the low production rate required to meet global demands have encouraged viscose manufacturing from renewable sources. This work develops a sustainable method to extract viscose fibers (cellulosic‐based precursor) from jute, a renewable resource. Jute fiber is the second largest fiber crop in southern Asia, which contains 65%–70% cellulose and contributes to environmental benefits such as oxygen production, carbon dioxide emission, and heavy metal absorption during harvesting. The treated jute fiber was modified to regenerated cellulose (viscose), as confirmed by different characterizations. The Fourier‐transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) test 1423, 1365, 1033, and 1021 cm−1 represented that modified jute fiber resembled viscose fiber, and TGA attributed the thermal stability of glass transition below 100°C and thermal degradation to jute viscose fiber. XRD analysis provides a crystal index of 91.79% of viscose from jute fiber, which is higher than the 76.06% crystal index of raw jute. Here, SEM and physiomechanical properties were also characterized by raw jute and viscose from jute fiber. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Hydrogels, known for their 3D polymer networks and high water content, are widely used in applications ranging from agriculture to tissue engineering and soft electronics. However, balancing toughness and stiffness in hydrogels remains a significant challenge due to the inverse relationship between these properties. In this study, a dual‐network hydrogel is developed composed of lignin/poly(N,N‐dimethylacrylamide) (PDMA) and sodium alginate/Ca2⁺ (SA/Ca2⁺) using a solvent exchange method. This hydrogel incorporates multi‐level energy dissipative structures, resulting in both high stiffness and toughness. Specifically, the DL/S0.1Ca0.5 hydrogel exhibited impressive mechanical performance, including a tensile stress of 3.7 MPa, a tensile strain of 1100%, and a tensile modulus of 8.7 MPa, along with remarkably high toughness of 97,000 J m−2 and work of extension of 25 MJ m−3. Additionally, it demonstrates exceptional rupture and collision resistance, outstanding conductivity of 19.7 S m−1, and high strain sensitivity with a gauge factor up to 7.78. These features highlight its potential for use in extreme sports protection and wearable sensors, representing a significant advancement in the development of multifunctional hydrogels. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The development of composite materials with fewer interface problems always helps to obtaining good properties. Two types of insulating biopolymers (7% w/w) were incorporated into a conductive matrix (polyaniline) during polymerization. The synthesis method, inspired by the synthesis of polyaniline and the coating of chitosan for the development of flexible electrodes, produces thermosets that are more thermally stable than the matrix until 350 °C. While one (gum) reduces the electrical conductivity, the other (lignin) increases the basic value of the raw material (~ 0.72 S Cm–1) by a factor of 10. The physicochemical and morphological analyses show the formation of the polymer on the surface of the biopolymer with the appearance of new chemical bonds by interactions between hydroxyls of the biopolymer and the nitrogen of amine function from the polyaniline. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

For exploring the reaction between the hydroxyl groups of lignin and boric acid under the alkaline condition, we study three proposed mechanisms for the formation of the anionic borate diester (ABDE) using the salicyl alcohol anion as the model compound by the density functional theory. ABDE has high flame retardancy and is a potentially practical application of lignin. The catalysis of sodium cation is found to enhance the deprotonation of the water cluster. The deprotonated product, hydroxide anion, is essential to the critical step, which is the cleavage of B−O bonds of the boric acid molecule, in reaction mechanisms. The energy profiles of the mechanisms show that the reaction between lignin and boric acid may start from the hydroxymethyl moieties of lignin since it requires less energy for the aforementioned critical step than from the phenol moieties of lignin. Moreover, the hydroxide anions compete with the hydroxymethyl groups in lignin for the formation of B−O bonds by forming tetrahydroxyborate anion (TBA) which requires very high activation energies to further react to the desired product ABDE. The optimal condition is to enhance the catalytic effect of sodium cations and meanwhile to control the formation of TBA. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The regulatory mechanisms governing expression of genes encoding lignin-modifying enzymes (LME) in white-rot fungi remain largely unexplored. Although molecular cloning has identified CCAAT-boxes frequently located 5′-upstream of these genes, their role in transcriptional regulation is not well understood. This study examines the function of hap2, a gene encoding a hypothetical protein homologous to a component of the CCAAT-binding Hap complex, in the white-rot fungus Pleurotus ostreatus. Deletion of hap2 resulted in significantly reduced Mn2+-dependent peroxidase activity and lignin-degrading capacity compared to the parental strain 20b grown on beech wood sawdust (BWS) medium. Real-time PCR revealed that vp2 transcript levels were significantly lower in hap2 deletants than in 20b grown when cultured on the three solid media consisting of BWS, holocellulose, or Avicel, but not on yeast-malt-glucose (YMG) agar plates. Additionally, glutathione S-transferase (GST) pulldown and electrophoretic mobility shift assays demonstrated that recombinant P. ostreatus Hap2, Hap3, and Hap5 expressed in Escherichia coli form a complex capable of binding to the CCAAT sequence 5′-upstream of vp2 in vitro. These results suggest that Hap2, as part of the CCAAT-binding complex, is essential for transcriptional upregulation of vp2 in P. ostreatus growing on lignocellulosic substrates. Key points: • P. ostreatus hap2 deletants were generated. • Lignin-degrading capacity was significantly reduced in the hap2 deletants. • vp2 was significantly downregulated upon hap2 deletion. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Two lignin model compounds, eugenol (Eu) or 2-methoxy-4-propylphenol (MPP), were esterified with a protonating acetic acid (AcA), H2SO4 catalyst and water. Initial product analysis showed a high related number of the unspecific process species of Eu reactions. Therefore, research was continued only with MPP. Temperature, equivalent MPP/AA molar ratio and quantified H2SO4 mass amount were varied, reactants were monitored, and it was determined that the functionalisation's best conditions were 130 °C, indicated total contained MPP/AA 1:3 and 1 mol% rate-increasing H2SO4. Yields exceed 15 mol%. Other H+ donors, HCl or p-toluene-sulfonic acid, were used, but resulted in lower yields (2 mol% or less). Afterwards, MPP esterification was attempted with five bio-based molecules, but only levulinic acid produced a measurable ester value (4 mol%). Two enzymes, lipase from Rhyzopus oryzae or immobilized lipase B from Candida antarctica, were also applied, not forming products. A micro-kinetic system representation was developed, based on a proposed elementary mechanism, which revealed the comparable activation energy of MPP substitution, catalysed by H2SO4. Barrier (24 kJ mol–1) was less than that with H-beta (zeolite) (39 kJ mol–1), while higher than that with AmberLite XAD 16 (resin) (10 kJ mol–1). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Sugar palm starch waste (SPSW) was biomass that produce from processing of sugar palm starch. SPSW contain high cellulose, hemicellulose, and lignin. Using lignocellulose from SPSW needs a pretreatment method to obtain highpurity cellulose and create an environmentally friendly method. The investigation focuses on determining the optimal NaOH concentration, temperature, and duration for hydrothermal-alkali treatment to remove hemicellulose and lignin, achieving high-purity cellulose. There is no further research regarding optimal conditions related to NaOH concentration, temperature, and duration for hydrothermal-alkali treatment to remove hemicellulose and lignin, achieving high-purity cellulose. This study aims to define optimal conditions for lignin and hemicellulose removal to obtain cellulose with high purity. The delignification process is carried out by hydrothermal and hydrothermal alkali activation. The hydrothermal activation removes hemicellulose, whereas the hydrothermal alkali activation removes lignin. In this study, Response surface methodology (RSM) was used to determine optimum conditions. The results were then structural and morphological identification using XRD, FTIR, and SEM. The optimization results obtained parameter values of 2% NaOH, temperature 120 °C for 120 minutes. The desirability value was 0.774, with a response value of 2.9 ± 1.7% for hemicellulose, 92.35 ± 1.06% for cellulose, and 2.45 ± 0.1% for lignin. FTIR results showed that lignin was absent during the delignification process. Meanwhile, in XRD, during the delignification process, the crystallization index (CI) decreases, and the crystallization size (CS) increases. SEM analysis results show that the morphology of the delignified SPSW becomes smoother after pretreatment, which indicates a decrease in hemicellulose and lignin content and a high level of cellulose purity. Further research is needed on other parameters, such as cellulose yield, energy consumption, and environmental impact. This research should also consider other potential pretreatment factors, such as pressure and catalysts in the hydrothermal process. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Petroleum-derived single-use plastics have dominated a range of material applications, including packaging and service ware (e.g., water bottles, food containers, and drinking straws). However, despite their short-lived service life, the inherent durability, and stability of these plastics have resulted in significant environmental accumulation and spill, contaminating both aquatic and land ecosystems. Consequently, there is a surging interest in the development of bioplastics as a sustainable alternative to petrochemical derived plastics that align with circular economy principles. Among potential materials, cellulose acetate (CA) showcases impressive mechanical properties, optical characteristics, melt processability, and compostability. However, due to its hygroscopic behavior, inferior barrier properties, and lack of dimensional stability, CA applications in the packaging industry are minimal. In this research, the acetylation of lignin and its use as a functional filler for CA matrix was studied. The impact of varying lignin loadings (up to 30 wt.%) on the tensile, morphological, barrier, and viscoelastic properties of the resulting materials was investigated. A thorough characterization of the compression-molded acetylated lignin-CA films revealed a reduction in water uptake (by 59% over baseline), up to a 41.5% reduction in water vapor permeability, and enhanced tensile properties with melt flowability. In summary, the examined films displayed favorable characteristics for use in food and other packaging applications. Consequently, they serve as low carbon footprint, and eco-friendly substitutes for conventional petrochemical-based packaging materials. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Developing efficient metal‐free catalysts for lignin valorization is essential but challenging. In this study, a cost‐effective strategy is employed to synthesize a P, N co‐doped carbon catalyst through hydrothermal and carbonization processes. This catalyst effectively cleaved α‐O‐4, β‐O‐4, and 4‐O‐5 lignin linkages, as demonstrated with model compounds. Various catalysts were prepared at different carbonization temperatures and thoroughly characterized using techniques such as XRD, RAMAN, FTIR, XPS, NH3‐TPD, and HRTEM. Attributed to higher acidity, the P5NC‐500 catalyst exhibited the best catalytic activity, employing H2O2 as the oxidant in water. Additionally, this metal‐free technique efficiently converted simulated lignin bio‐oil, containing all three linkages, into valuable monomers. Density Functional Theory calculations provided insight into the reaction mechanism, suggesting substrate and oxidant activation by P−O−H sites in the P5NC‐500, and by N−C−O−H in the CN catalyst. Moreover, the catalyst′s recyclability and water utilization enhance its environmental compatibility, offering a highly sustainable approach to lignin valorization with potential applications in various industries. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Material extrusion additive manufacturing is increasingly popular but requires new materials to expand its industrial applicability. This study compares the effects of two bio‐fillers (lignin and spent coffee grounds (SCG)) in a bio‐polymer matrix, polylactic acid (PLA). The bio‐fillers aim to enhance the sustainability of the resulting composites, tune their physical properties (rheology, thermal stability, mechanical resistance and water absorption) and improve 3D‐printability by reducing the temperature at the nozzle. The composite with 15 wt.% SCG exhibited an elongation at break of 22.95% (vs. 8.42% for PLA), a printing temperature of 180°C (vs. 215°C for PLA) and a water absorption after 6 weeks immersion in water of 18.77 wt.% (vs. 5.04 wt.% of PLA), suggesting applications like hydroponic farming. Moreover, small amounts of SCG protected the composite against thermo‐oxidative degradation during extrusion, while lignin enhanced the thermal stability of the composite. Highlights: 15 wt.% SCG improved PLA ductility (elongation at break 22.9% vs. PLA's 8.4%).Lower printing temperature (180 vs. 215°C for PLA) was achieved with 15 wt.% SCG.SCG protects composite from thermo‐oxidative degradation.15 wt.% SCG in PLA absorbs 18.77% water after 6 weeks (vs. 5.04% of PLA).Lignin boosts thermal stability of PLA composite. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Photothermal elastomers are recognized as smart flexible materials that can rapidly and effectively convert light energy into heat energy. However, there has been a lack of adequate focus on tackling the sustainability challenges of photothermal elastomers, particularly in terms of material selection, the integration of complex functionalities, and final disposal. A fully bio‐derived photothermal elastomer (BPTE) produced through a simple and chemical‐free approach is introduced, utilizing alkali lignin, lipoic acid, and phytic acid as bio‐derived feedstocks. The BPTE exhibits an adaptive polymeric network crosslinked by dynamic covalent disulfide bonds and multiple hydrogen bonds, endowing it with dual‐mode photothermal conversion capability, robustness, stretchability, rapidly self‐healing property, hydrophobicity, swelling resistance, self‐adhesion, full recyclability, and degradability. The BPTE is further demonstrated as a next‐generation solution for photothermal generators, light‐driven actuators, photothermal antibacterial dressings, and photothermal fibers. The versatility of BPTE opens avenues for innovative smart devices and systems with significant potential in energy conversion, soft robotics, medical treatment, and smart clothing. With outstanding photothermal performances, full recyclability, and biodegradability, these fully bio‐based elastomers present an attractive prospect for the development of the advanced smart photothermal products. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The pursuit of molecules capable of binding to wood lignin is pivotal for advancing lignin degradation technology, particularly when combined with lignin degradation catalysts. In this study, synthetic polymers bearing histidine moieties, demonstrating remarkable affinity for wood lignin are reported. These polymers, featuring varying degrees of histidine substitution in the form of histidine methyl esters, are synthesized through controlled radical polymerization of an activated ester‐bearing monomer, employing a fluorescein‐labeled chain transfer agent and subsequent postpolymerization amidation with histidine methyl ester. The binding properties of these histidine‐bearing polymers with milled wood lignin under aqueous conditions are investigated. Qualitative assessment of lignin‐binding capabilities involve spectroscopic analysis of changes in absorbance of visible light and fluorescence intensity. Furthermore, quantitative evaluation is conducted through surface plasmon resonance measurements to determine the binding parameters of the polymers with wood lignin. Notably, polymers with higher histidine substitution exhibit enhanced binding affinity compared to those with lower histidine substitution levels. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Developing low-cost, high-performance oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) catalysts is crucial for the commercialization of fuel cells and zinc-air batteries. Herein, we report a lignin-derived Fe/N co-doped 3D porous carbon electrocatalyst Fe-NLC-1 as an alternative to commercial Pt/C catalysts, which was synthesized by a green and facile in situ carbonization strategy. Fe-NLC-1 exhibits higher oxygen reduction activity with a half-wave potential (E 1/2) of 0.90 V vs. RHE than commercial 20 wt% Pt/C (E 1/2 = 0.85 V) in the alkaline conditions, as well as excellent methanol tolerance and stability. Furthermore, the Zn-air battery loaded with Fe-NLC-1 exhibits a maximum power density of 125 mW cm−2, an open circuit voltage of 1.477 V, and stable discharge performance, which are comparable or even better than the commercial Pt/C. This study highlights the potential of biomass-derived porous carbon materials for the development of high-performance ORR electrocatalysts. [Display omitted] • Industrial waste lignosulfonate is used to prepare an oxygen reduction catalyst. • The precursor of the porous carbon material is prepared using an in-situ template method. • Fe-NLC-1 with a 3D porous structure has a high specific surface area and excellent ORR performance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aqueous biorefining may increase the volume of lignin generated by an additional 100 million tons/year. Lignin valorization is essential to the economic success of aqueous biorefineries. Valorization has potential to generate lignin feedstocks for production of sustainable feedstocks for manufacture of sustainable aviation biofuels, agricultural applications, and specialty products. The extent of decarbonization by lignin through agricultural practices that sequester carbon by adding lignin back to the soil remains to be validated. An additional 100 million tons/year of lignin coproduct will result when lignocellulosic biomass is processed in biorefineries to fiber, sugars, biofuels, and bioproducts. This will double the amount of lignin already generated from pulping and paper production. Unlike pulping that results in lignosulphonate (88% of total) or Kraft lignin (9%), aqueous-based biorefining leaves behind non-sulfonated lignin and aromatic molecules. This new type of lignin provides opportunities for large volume agricultural uses such as controlled-release carriers and soil amendments as well as feedstocks for new chemistries that lead to molecular building blocks for the chemical industry and to precursors for sustainable aviation biofuels. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Lignin, one of the most abundant biopolymers on Earth, is of great research interest due to its industrial applications including biofuel production and materials science. The structural composition of lignin plays an important role in shaping its properties and functionalities. Notably, lignin exhibits substantial compositional diversity, which varies not only between different plant species but even within the same plant. Currently, it is unclear to what extent this compositional diversity plays on the overall structure and dynamics of lignin. To address this question, this paper reports on the development of two models of lignin containing all guaiacyl (G) subunits with varied linkage sequences and makes use of all-atom molecular dynamics simulations to examine the impact of linkage sequence alone on the lignin's structure and dynamics. This work demonstrates that the structure of the lignin polymer depends on its linkage sequence at temperatures above and below the glass transition temperature ( T g ), but the polymers exhibit similar structural properties as it is approaching the viscous flow state (480 K). At low temperatures, both of lignin models have a local dynamics confined in a cage, but the size of cages varies depending on structural differences. Interestingly, at temperatures higher than T g , the different linkage sequence leads to the subtle dynamical difference which diminishes at 480 K. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Pinus taeda is a key timber species, and extensive research has been conducted on its wood formation. However, a comprehensive investigation into the biosynthetic pathways of lignin, cellulose, and hemicellulose in P. taeda is lacking, resulting in an incomplete understanding of secondary cell wall (SCW) formation in this species. In this study, we systematically analyzed transcriptomic data from previously published sources and constructed detailed pathways for lignin, cellulose, and hemicellulose biosynthesis. We identified 188 lignin-related genes and 78 genes associated with cellulose and hemicellulose biosynthesis. An RT-qPCR highlighted 15 key lignin biosynthesis genes and 13 crucial genes for cellulose and hemicellulose biosynthesis. A STEM analysis showed that most essential enzyme-coding genes clustered into Profile 14, suggesting their significant role in SCW formation. Additionally, we identified seven NAC and six MYB transcription factors (TFs) from atypical evolutionary clades, with distinct expression patterns from those of the previously characterized NAC and MYB genes, indicating potentially unique functions in SCW formation. This research provides the first comprehensive overview of lignin, cellulose, and hemicellulose biosynthetic genes in P. taeda and underscores the importance of non-canonical NAC and MYB TFs, laying a genetic foundation for future studies on SCW regulatory mechanisms. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cassava (Manihot esculenta Crantz) is used as a biomass energy material and an effective supplement for food and feed. Cinnamyl alcohol dehydrogenase (CAD) catalyzes the final step of lignin biosynthesis and is responsible for various stresses. However, systematic investigations of the CAD gene family in cassava have been poorly understood. In this study, a genome-wide survey and bioinformatics analysis of CAD gene family was performed, transcriptomics, qRT-PCR, gene silencing and stress of yeast cell were used for excavate and validate the candidate MeCADs gene. 36 MeCADs genes unevenly distributed across 12 chromosomes were identified. Through phylogenetic analyses alongside their Arabidopsis counterparts, these MeCADs were divided into four groups, each containing a similar structure and conserved motifs. Interestingly, transcriptome data analysis revealed that 32 MeCAD genes were involved in the postharvest physiological deterioration (PPD) process, whereas 27 MeCAD genes showed significant changes. Additionally, the relative quantitative analysis of 6 MeCAD genes demonstrated that they were sensitive to PPD, suggesting that they may be involved in the regulation of PPD. Silencing MeCAD13 and MeCAD28 further showed that lignin content significantly decreased in the leaves. The wound-stress tolerance of transgenic yeast cells was enhanced after transformation with MeCAD13 and MeCAD28. MeCAD13 and MeCAD28 may play positive roles in lignin biosynthesis and PPD response, respectively. These results provided a systematic functional analysis of MeCADs in cassava and paved a new way to genetically modify lignin biosynthesis and PPD tolerance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A NiCo2S4/N-CDs/RGO ternary composite hydrogel was prepared via a one-step hydrothermal method, utilizing lignin-based nitrogen-doped carbon dots as a bridge connecting NiCo2S4 and graphene. The specific capacitance of NiCo2S4/N-CDs/RGO significantly outperforms that of the GH and NiCo2S4/RGO electrodes, achieving 1050 F g−1. The 3D mesh porous hydrogel structure mitigates NiCo2S4 nanoparticle aggregation, providing a larger specific surface area for enhanced charge storage. The abundant functional groups of N-CDs interact with Ni (II) and Co (III) cations, favoring NiCo2S4 particle synthesis. Additionally, an assembled solid-state asymmetric supercapacitor employing NiCo2S4/N-CDs/RGO as the positive electrode exhibited excellent energy density (68.4 Wh kg−1) and cycle stability (82% capacitance retention after 10,000 constant current charge–discharge cycles). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The selective hydrogenation of lignin-derived phenols under mild conditions is still a challenging work. In this study, 2.0 wt% Pd/γ-Al2O3 catalyst was found to show high catalytic performance for the selective hydrogenation of lignin-derived phenols, giving 100% conversion of substrate and 94.9% yield of cyclohexanols under optimized conditions. The excellent catalytic performance of the 2.0 wt% Pd/γ-Al2O3 catalyst could be possibly ascribed to its higher percentage (93.6%) of surface Pd0 species than other catalysts. The turnover number (TON) of substrate was 1363 with apparent activation energy (Ea) of 22.7 and 13.6 kJ mol−1 for the hydrogenation of 4-ethyl phenol to 4-ethyl cyclohexanone and subsequent hydrogenation for C=O bond over Pd/γ-Al2O3, respectively. The lower Ea could possibly explain the excellent catalytic activity for the full hydrogenation of 4-ethyl phenol to 4-ethyl cyclohexanol. Furthermore, this catalyst showed higher selectivity to hydrolysis and hydrogenation than to hydrogenolysis for the conversion of β-O-4, 4-O-5 and α-O-4 linked lignin-derived dimeric compounds with excellent substrate conversion and cyclohexanol product yield, offering great opportunity and potential for upgrading of lignin-derived phenols to well-defined end products. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Lignin is a phenolic polymer that is a major source of biomass. Oxidative enzymes, such as laccase and peroxidase, are required for lignin polymerisation. Laccase is a member of the multicopper oxidase family and has a high amino acid sequence similarity with ascorbate oxidase. However, the process of functional differentiation between the two enzymes remains poorly understood. In this study, the common ancestry sequence of laccase and ascorbate oxidase (AncMCO) was predicted via phylogenetic reconstruction, and its in vivo effect on lignin biosynthesis in Arabidopsis thaliana was assessed. The estimated AncMCO sequence conserved key residues that coordinate with copper ions, implying that the electron transfer system is likely to be conserved in AncMCO. However, multiple insertions/deletions corresponding to protein surface structures have been found between laccase, ascorbate oxidase, and AncMCO. The overexpression of canonical laccase (AtLAC4) and ascorbate oxidase (AtAAO1) in A. thaliana resulted in notable increases of syringyl/guaiacyl lignin unit ratio in stems, whereas, in contrast, the overexpression of AncMCO did not show any detectable change in lignin deposition. Transcriptomic analysis revealed that the AtAAO1-overexpressing line exhibited significant changes in the expression of a wide range of cell wall biosynthesis genes. These results highlight the importance of the molecular evolution of multicopper oxidase, which drives lignin biosynthesis during plant evolution. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

SUMMARY: The formation and development of storage roots is the most important physiological process in sweetpotato production. Sucrose transporters (SUTs) regulate sucrose transport from source to sink organs and play important roles in growth and development of plants. However, whether SUTs involved in sweetpotato storage roots formation is so far unknown. In this study, we show that IbSUT1, a SUT, is localized to the plasma membrane. Overexpression of IbSUT1 in sweetpotato promotes the sucrose efflux rate from leaves, leading to increased sucrose levels in roots, thus induces lignin deposition in the stele, which inhibits the storage roots formation and compromises the yield. Heterologous expression of IbSUT1 in Arabidopsis significantly increases the sucrose accumulation and promotes lignification in the inflorescence stems. RNA‐seq and biochemical analysis further demonstrated that IbMYB1 negatively regulates the expression of IbSUT1. Overexpression of IbMYB1 in Arabidopsis reduces the sucrose accumulation and lignification degree in the inflorescence stems. Moreover, co‐overexpression of IbMYB1 and IbSUT1 restores the phenotype of lignin over‐deposition in Arabidopsis. Collectively, our results reveal that IbSUT1 regulates source‐sink sucrose transport and participates in the formation of sweetpotato storage roots and highlight the potential application of IbSUT1 in improving sweetpotato yield in the future. Significance Statement: The formation and development of storage roots is the most important physiological process in sweetpotato production. IbSUT1 plays a crucial role in the formation of storage roots by regulating sucrose transport to affect lignin biosynthesis in roots, which provides valuable information for understanding the mechanisms underlying sweetpotato root development and may have implications for the improvement of sweetpotato yields. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Gibberellins (GAs) are a class of plant hormones that can affect plant growth and development. GA-oxidases are rate-limiting enzymes, which play a direct role in GA accumulation in plants. However, the roles of GA-oxidase on carrot (Daucus carota L.) taproot development are still unclear. In this study, two GA-oxidase genes, DcGA20ox2 and DcGA2ox1, were identified in carrot. Transgenic carrot plants were obtained by using Agrobacterium-mediated genetic transformation method. The results showed that overexpression of DcGA20ox2 significantly promoted the accumulation of active GAs in carrot, increased plant height, generated more branches, and enhanced xylem development. Overexpression of DcGA2ox1 significantly reduced the total contents of active GAs compared with the control group, resulting in a dwarf phenotype and markedly increased lignin content of the transgenic carrot. The expression profiling showed that the genes of GA metabolic pathway responded to the negative feedback regulation mechanism. At the same time, the expression of most genes in lignin biosynthesis and polymerization process was up-regulated, corresponding to the massive accumulation of lignin. These findings indicated that DcGA20ox2 and DcGA2ox1 affected carrot growth and development by regulating the levels of endogenous GAs. The results from current work might shed light on further studies aimed to regulate lignification in carrot and other crops. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this work hydrodeoxygenation of various lignin-derived model compounds and their mixture was studied over platinum catalysts based on porous aromatic frameworks (PAF) doped with Bronsted acid sites. Two catalysts, Pt-PAF-30-SO3H(5.0) and Pt-PAF-30-SO3H(7.5), with almost identical platinum loading of 5.1 and 4.7 wt. % but different sulfur concentration of 4.46 and 6.96 wt. % respectively, were synthesized using a method that allows to obtain highly uniform distribution of nanoparticles in the porous structure of the support. The HDO reaction pathways of lignin substrates with different structures were discussed, and the influence of the platinum source chosen for the synthesis of the catalyst on the activity and the selectivity of the latter was studied. We have demonstrated high stability of catalyst (for at least a 7 h reaction) and have confirmed the great activity of the Pt-PAF-30-SO3H(7.5) catalyst in HDO reactions with a large number of lignin bio-oil model compounds. Pt-PAF-30-SO3H(7.5) was also tested in the hydrodeoxygenation of a model mixture of aromatic substrates taken in proportions contained in lignin bio-oil. The selectivity to naphthenic hydrocarbons—products of the complete hydrodeoxygenation—was 54%. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this work, firstly, the optimal performance ratio of potato starch and polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) was selected, and then the sustainable high-grade food packaging film was developed by adding different amounts (0, 5, 10, 15, 20, and 25 wt% based on the starch mass) of functional additive lignin into the starch - PVA film matrix. Starch - PVA based films with different amounts of lignin were studied from the aspects of morphology, physical and chemical properties, barrier properties, mechanical properties and antioxidant properties. Mechanical tests showed that lignin significantly improved the tensile strength (TS) of the film and effectively blocked the passage of water vapor. Lignin, starch and PVA were linked by hydrogen bond to form polymer network structure, which improved the interfacial compatibility between polymers. The interaction between polymer molecules and the distribution of lignin particles were confirmed by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The high content of phenolic hydroxyl in lignin undergoes proton coupled electron transfer mechanism, which endows the composite film with high antioxidant activity, which is proved by DPPH radical scavenging activity experiment. At the same time, it also gives the film excellent UV barrier and antibacterial properties. The introduction of lignin in this study provides a valuable way for the preparation of multifunctional composite films using biomass as raw materials, and has a potential application prospect in food packaging. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

For the direct alkaline oxidation of rice husk lignin, we developed a copper foam-based heterogeneous catalyst that offers advantages in its recovery after the reaction mixture. The depolymerized products were utilized for muconate production by an engineered Pseudomonas sp. NGC7-based strain. A hydroxide nanorod-modified copper foam was prepared by the surface oxidation of copper foam, followed by alkaline oxidation of rice husk lignin over the catalyst. The catalyst was easily separated from the cellulosic residues in the reaction mixture, and the residues were then recovered by filtration. The resulting lignin stream was composed of a variety of aromatic monomers containing p -hydroxyphenyl, guaiacyl, and syringyl compounds. The catabolic activity of Pseudomonas sp. NGC7 was demonstrated to be more suitable for muconate production from a mixture comprising 4-hydroxybenzoate (a typical p -hydroxyphenyl compound), vanillate (a guaiacyl compound), and syringate (a syringyl compound), owing to its natural ability to grow on syringate. Thus, it was applied to produce muconate from a rice husk lignin stream prepared through hydroxide nanorod-modified copper foam-catalyzed alkaline oxidation by conferring the genes responsible for converting the acetophenone derivatives to their corresponding aromatic acids and protocatechuate decarboxylase to an NGC7-based strain deficient in protocatechuate 3,4-dioxygenase and muconate cycloisomerase. As a result, the engineered NGC7-based muconate-producing strain produced muconate selectively from the rice husk lignin stream at 93.7 mol% yield. • A hydroxide nanorod-modified copper foam [Cu(OH) 2 /CF] was prepared. • Cu(OH) 2 /CF was used for the alkaline oxidation of rice husk lignin. • Cu(OH) 2 /CF was advantageous in separation from the cellulosic residues. • Pseudomonas sp. NGC7-based strain was useful for muconate production. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Summary: The first step in carbon (C) turnover, where senesced plant biomass is converted through various pathways into compounds that are released to the atmosphere or incorporated into the soil, is termed litter decomposition. This review is focused on recent advances of how solar radiation can affect this important process in terrestrial ecosystems. We explore the photochemical degradation of plant litter and its consequences for biotic decomposition and C cycling. The ubiquitous presence of lignin in plant tissues poses an important challenge for enzymatic litter decomposition due to its biological recalcitrance, creating a substantial bottleneck for decomposer organisms. The recognition that lignin is also photolabile and can be rapidly altered by natural doses of sunlight to increase access to cell wall carbohydrates and even bolster the activity of cell wall degrading enzymes highlights a novel role for lignin in modulating rates of litter decomposition. Lignin represents a key functional connector between photochemistry and biochemistry with important consequences for our understanding of how sunlight exposure may affect litter decomposition in a wide range of terrestrial ecosystems. A mechanistic understanding of how sunlight controls litter decomposition and C turnover can help inform management and other decisions related to mitigating human impact on the planet. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In order to valorize the enzymatic hydrolysis residues (EHR) from the bioethanol industry, this work studies the effects on the structure, properties as well as shear resistance of EHR‐based phenol formaldehyde (EPF) adhesives prepared from EHR instead of commercial phenol. 2D heteronuclear signal quantum coherence NMR (2D HSQC NMR) and 31P NMR analysis reveal that lignin in EHR (EHL) possesses a high amount of G and H units which contain 1.9 mmol g−1 active sites (reaction site with formaldehyde). Fourier‐transform infrared (FT‐IR) characterization shows that the instead proportions of EHR with 5–30% in EPF adhesives do not show great influence on the chemical structure type and main functional groups of the prepared adhesives. The shear strength measurement results show that the strength of the 10%‐EPF adhesive is significantly improved by 29% compared to phenol‐formaldehyde (PF) adhesive, which is due to EHL in adhesives enhanced the cross‐linking of polymer chains. This work emphasizes the potential benefits of using industrial EHR to develop cost‐effective phenol formaldehyde adhesive preparation schemes, therefore giving an additional value to waste from biorefineries. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Lignin is classified as the second most abundantly available biopolymer after cellulose and as a main aromatic resource material. Lignin structure differs based on sources of origin and species of biomass with around 15–40% of lignin content based on dry weight. It is extracted from various types of lignocellulosic biomass through different pulping extraction methods. After extraction, lignin can be further functionalized through different chemical reactions to meet the requirements and specifications before being used in end products. Therefore, in this review paper, the details on extraction and the type of lignin, as well as chemical functionalization, are discussed. The chemical functionalization can be used to modify the lignin such through phenolic depolymerization or by other aromatic compounds, creating novel chemical active sites to impact a reactivity of lignin and through functionalization of hydroxyl functional group for enhancing its reactivity. Furthermore, the recent sustainable application of lignin was discussed in different fields such as nanocomposite, flame retardant, antioxidant, cosmetic, natural binder and emulsifier. This review hence provides a summary of the current stateoftheart in lignin technology and future outlook of potential application areas. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Lignin as a biopolymer, has drawn much attention owing to its renewable nature, biodegradability, easy availability, and excellent stability. Water-borne polyurethane (WPU)-based coatings have been contributing to sustainable and eco-friendly practices offer a straightforward avenue for the value-added utilization of lignin. With the alarming rise in death rates attributed to skin diseases due to ultraviolet (UV) radiation damage, researchers have been actively searching for sustainable coating processes that enhance the UV protective capabilities of fabrics. In this paper, a facile strategy was reported for fabricating an environment friendly, mechanically durable, and UV protective biodegradable polylactic acid (PLA) spunlace nonwoven fabrics (SNFs) using lignin/WPU composite coatings. Lignin/WPU coating pastes were prepared using five different recipes including different lignin concentrations (0.5, 1.0, 1.5, and 2.0 wt.%) and coated on PLA SNFs via an applicator and thermally cured. Mechanical properties (e.g. tensile strength and abrasion resistance) and UV protection factor (UPF) values of fabrics were investigated. The coating films were characterized by Fourier Transform-Infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) analysis. Lignin/WPU coated SNFs showed excellent UV protection performance and UPF values were obtained above 100 for all formulations. Lignin/WPU coatings provided an improving effect on the tensile strength and abrasion resistance performances of coated SNFs compared to uncoated SNFs. This work provides a simple and efficient strategy for preparing environmentally friendly lignin/WPU coatings, which are promising for application in the textile industry. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this research epoxy-based biocomposites were developed using novel green pea pod lignin and hybridized pod sheath fibre-bamboo epoxy composite for human prosthetic applications. The outcomes of this investigation demonstrates that the inclusion of lignin, up to 1.0 vol. % yields a tensile strength of 159 MPa, flexural strength of 202 MPa, interlaminar shear strength of 28.6 Mpa, and Izod impact toughness of 5.93 J. In terms of wear resistance, the composite designation with 2.0 vol. % of lignin exhibited lower wear loss of 0.01 g and 0.38 of coefficient of friction. Both the mechanical and wear results are statistically significant with P < 0.05), confirmed by analysis of variance. Additionally, the highest fatigue life counts were recorded for composite with 1 vol. % of lignin with counts of 34,632 cycles for 30% of the ultimate tensile strength. Furthermore, the addition of lignin up to 2.0 vol. % resulted in the lowest contact angle of 82° and water absorption percentage of 0.16%. Scanning electron microscopy analysis indicated that the incorporation of surface-treated fibres and lignin uniformly dispersed and adhered more. Based on these findings, it is evident that the composite containing 40 vol. % of sheath/bamboo hybridized fibre with 1.0 vol. % of lignin in the epoxy matrix represents the most favourable outcome for prosthetic applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Although biopolymers have been widely utilized as triboelectric materials for the construction of self-powered sensing systems, the annihilation of triboelectric charges at high temperatures restricts the output signals and sensitivity of the assembled sensors. Herein, a novel chitosan/montmorillonite/lignin (CML) composite film was designed and employed as a tribopositive layer in the assembly of a self-powered sensing system for use under hot conditions (25–70°C). The dense contact surface resulting from the strong intermolecular interaction between biopolymers and nanofillers restrained the volatilization of induced electrons. The optimized CML-TENG delivered the highest open-circuit voltage (Voc) of 262 V and maximum instantaneous output power of 429 mW/m2. Pristine CH-TENG retained only 39% of its initial Voc at 70°C, whereas the optimized CM5L3-TENG retained 66% of its initial Voc. Our work provides a new strategy for suppressing the annihilation of triboelectric charges at high temperatures, thus boosting the development of self-powered sensing devices for application under hot conditions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Lignocellulosic biomass is one of the most abundant bioresources on Earth. Over recent decades, various valorisation techniques have been developed to produce value-added products from the cellulosic and hemicellulosic fractions of this biomass. Lignin is the third major component accounting for 10–30% (w/w). However, it currently remains a largely unused fraction due to its recalcitrance and complex structure. The increase in the global demand for lignocellulosic biomass, for energy and chemical production, is increasing the amount of waste lignin available. Approaches to date for valorizing this renewable but heterogeneous chemical resource have mainly focused on production of materials and fine chemicals. Greater value could be gained by developing higher value pharmaceutical applications which would help to improve integrated biorefinery economics. In this review, different lignin extraction methods, such as organosolv and ionic liquid, and the properties and potential of the extracted chemical building blocks are first summarized with respect to pharmaceutical use. The review then discusses the many recent advances made regarding the medical or therapeutic potential of lignin-derived materials such as antimicrobial, antiviral, and antitumor compounds and in controlled drug delivery. The aim is to draw out the link between the source and the processing of the biomass and potential clinical applications. We then highlight four key areas for future research if therapeutic applications of lignin-derived products are to become commercially viable. These relate to the availability and processing of lignocellulosic biomass, technologies for the purification of specific compounds, enhancements in process yield, and progression to human clinical trials. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Acta Prataculturae Sinica is the property of Acta Prataculturae Sinica Editorial Office and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

The presence of heavy metals in aqueous media threatens environmental safety and human health, so it is necessary to effectively remove them from wastewater. Through a simple preparation method, lignin (LS) and montmorillonite (MMT) were successfully prepared into efficient biosorbents. The prepared hydrogel not only has water absorption and pH-responsive swelling properties, but also has good removal effect on heavy metals. The maximum adsorption capacity of Cd (II) ions was 587.14 mg / g. The maximum adsorption capacity of Zn (II) ions was 297.13 mg / g.The results of principal component analysis show that the adsorption process of heavy metals is in good agreement with different kinetic and isotherm models. The adsorption mechanism is proposed, which is related to the chemical properties between adsorbents. This study provides a promising and sustainable lignin-based composite hydrogel. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The selective hydrogenation of lignin-derived phenols under mild conditions is still a challenging work. In this study, 2.0 wt% Pd/γ-Al2O3 catalyst was found to show high catalytic performance for the selective hydrogenation of lignin-derived phenols, giving 100% conversion of substrate and 94.9% yield of cyclohexanols under optimized conditions. The excellent catalytic performance of the 2.0 wt% Pd/γ-Al2O3 catalyst could be possibly ascribed to its higher percentage (93.6%) of surface Pd0 species than other catalysts. The turnover number (TON) of substrate was 1363 with apparent activation energy (Ea) of 22.7 and 13.6 kJ mol−1 for the hydrogenation of 4-ethyl phenol to 4-ethyl cyclohexanone and subsequent hydrogenation for C=O bond over Pd/γ-Al2O3, respectively. The lower Ea could possibly explain the excellent catalytic activity for the full hydrogenation of 4-ethyl phenol to 4-ethyl cyclohexanol. Furthermore, this catalyst showed higher selectivity to hydrolysis and hydrogenation than to hydrogenolysis for the conversion of β-O-4, 4-O-5 and α-O-4 linked lignin-derived dimeric compounds with excellent substrate conversion and cyclohexanol product yield, offering great opportunity and potential for upgrading of lignin-derived phenols to well-defined end products. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]