Monolignol acylation and lignin structure in non-woody plants: A 2D-NMR study.

2D NMR revealed a correspondence between the molecular structure of lignins and their degree of acylation in several nonwoody angiosperms characterized by different lignin acylation types (acetate and/or p-coumarate esters) and extents (up to more that 90% of units). Some of the lignin substructures identified showed that acylation is produced at the monolignol level. Direct evidence was also provided by GC-MS identification of γ-acetylated sinapyl alcohol among plant extractives. Taking the above findings together, it is proposed that some angiosperms could use monolignol acylation as a mechanism to regulate the structure of lignin. In this way, acylation would result in lower presence of resinols and other β-β' interunit linkages in S-rich lignins, promoting formation of a highly-etherified (β-O-4' linked) and more labile lignin polymer. In contrast, low (or null) acylation would result in lignins with higher content of C-C interunit linkages, that will be more recalcitrant towards chemical and/or biological degradation.

Saved in:
Bibliographic Details
Main Authors: Martínez, Ángel T., Rencoret, Jorge, Marques, Gisela, Gutiérrez Suárez, Ana, Ibarra, David, Jiménez-Barbero, Jesús, Río Andrade, José Carlos del
Format: comunicación de congreso biblioteca
Language:English
Published: 2008-08-26
Subjects:Nonwoody plants, Hemp, Sisal, Abaca, Lignin, Gamma-acylation, Acetates, p-Coumarates,
Online Access:http://hdl.handle.net/10261/86382
Tags: Add Tag
No Tags, Be the first to tag this record!