Lignin Carbohydrate Complexes in Softwood and Chemical Pulps

The chemical interactions between wood components
i.e., cellulose, hemicelluloses and lignin are of
fundamental importance for understanding the
chemical aspects of wood formation and its
reactivity during fibre processing. Triggered by
environmental concerns and oil dependence, there is
consensus to find alternative sources of energy,
fuel and platform chemicals from a renewable
resource. The use of lignocellulosic material as a
raw material to meet these demands is being pursued,
and a broad potential base has been identified.
However, progress will greatly depend on detailed
knowledge of how the fibre elements interact with
one another in the lignocellulosic material. The
present work provides new insights into these
interactions, more specifically, covalent bonds
between lignin and carbohydrates, normally reffered
to as lignin carbohydrate complexes (LCC), and how
structural differences between them affect their
reactivity. Based on the study, a new
ultrastructural model of the fiber wall is presented.

Autorentext
Dr. Martin Ocen Lawoko, M Sc. Engineering Chemistry from University of Umea, Sweden. Phd. Wood Chemistry from Royal Institute of Technology (KTH), Sweden. Postdoctoral experience at University of Maine, USA. Presently employed at the University of Maine as Analytical Chemist for the Forest Bioproducts Research Initiative (FBRI).

Klappentext
The chemical interactions between wood components i.e., cellulose, hemicelluloses and lignin are of fundamental importance for understanding the chemical aspects of wood formation and its reactivity during fibre processing. Triggered by environmental concerns and oil dependence, there is consensus to find alternative sources of energy, fuel and platform chemicals from a renewable resource. The use of lignocellulosic material as a raw material to meet these demands is being pursued, and a broad potential base has been identified. However, progress will greatly depend on detailed knowledge of how the fibre elements interact with one another in the lignocellulosic material. The present work provides new insights into these interactions, more specifically, covalent bonds between lignin and carbohydrates, normally reffered to as lignin carbohydrate complexes (LCC), and how structural differences between them affect their reactivity. Based on the study, a new ultrastructural model of the fiber wall is presented.