Highly Efficient Semi-Continuous Extraction and In-Line Purification of High β-O-4 Butanosolv Lignin.

Innovative biomass fractionation is of major importance for economically competitive biorefineries. Lignin is currently severely underutilized due to the use of high severity fractionation methodologies that yield complex condensed lignin that limits high-value applicability. Mild lignin fractionation conditions can lead to lignin with a more regular C-O bonded structure that has increased potential for higher value applications.

Efficient Mild Organosolv Lignin Extraction in a Flow-Through Setup Yielding Lignin with High β-O-4 Content.

Current lignin fractionation methods use harsh conditions that alter the native lignin structure, resulting in a recalcitrant material which is undesired for downstream processing. Milder fractionation processes allow for the isolation of lignins that are high in β-aryl ether (β-O-4) content, however, at reduced extraction efficiency. The development of improved lignin extraction methods using mild conditions is therefore desired.