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Updated: Aug 25, 2025

Ultrafast Lignin Extraction from Unusual Mediterranean Lignocellulosic Residues
Published on: March 9, 2021
Preparation, characterization of light-colored lignin from corn stover by new ternary deep eutectic solvent
Chaobo Lu1, Jun Xu2, Junxian Xie1
1Plant Fiber Materials Science Research Center, State Key Laboratory of Pulp and Paper Engineering, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou 510640, China; Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Plant Resources Biorefinery, Guangzhou 510006, China.
Abstract:
The industrial lignin has shown great potential to replace some of petrochemical. But the deep color of lignin limits their application in high-value field. The extraction of light-colored lignin from lignocellulose still remains challenging. Here, we reported a strategy for rapid extraction of lignin from corn stover by using a new ternary deep eutectic solvent (TDES) composed of choline chloride (ChCl), formic acid (FA) and maleic acid (MA). The color feature and structural characterization of obtained lignin was comprehensively elucidated. The results revealed that the lignin streams had light color (brightness ISO 23.44 %) with a high yield (76.3 %), purity (93.5 %), low molecular weight (Mw 1544-2040 g/mol), and low polydispersity (PDI ≤ 1.76). The introduction of MA could reduce the destruction of lignin substructure during the treatment process and avoid the deepening of lignin color. Quantitative analysis of conjugated carbonyl and quinone carbonyl and semi-quantitative analysis of lignin by 2D NMR showed that temperature had a great influence on its structure.

