Catalytic degradation of kraft lignin to determine its antioxidant potential for industrial purposes

The lignin fraction of the lignocellulosic biomass corresponds to 15–30 % wt. This is largely obtained as a by-product of wood pulping to produce cellulose and paper, with the kraft process being the most used by industry. The chemical composition of lignin makes an excellent raw material for obtain...

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Main Authors: Silvio Vaz, Jr., Ana Elisa Barreto, Bruno Leite Sampaio
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Elsevier 2025-02-01
Series:Heliyon
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Online Access:http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2405844025011648
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author Silvio Vaz, Jr.
Ana Elisa Barreto
Bruno Leite Sampaio
author_facet Silvio Vaz, Jr.
Ana Elisa Barreto
Bruno Leite Sampaio
author_sort Silvio Vaz, Jr.
collection DOAJ
description The lignin fraction of the lignocellulosic biomass corresponds to 15–30 % wt. This is largely obtained as a by-product of wood pulping to produce cellulose and paper, with the kraft process being the most used by industry. The chemical composition of lignin makes an excellent raw material for obtaining various chemical compounds with industrial applications, such as phenolic resins, biofuels and fine chemical products. Furthermore, lignin has high potential as a raw material for sustainable additives for liquid fuels, due to its aromatic nature, since its alkylphenols can be used as antioxidants. The present work describes a process of catalytic conversion of kraft lignin into phenolic compounds with potential application as industrial antioxidant agents. The hydrogenolysis reactions were performed using methanol, ethanol, isopropanol or isopropanol: formic acid (1: 1 v/v) as organic solvents. For each solvent, four transition metal catalysts were tested (Pd/CaCO3, Pd/C, Ru/C and In). Through analyzing UHPLC-ESI-MS (ultra-high performance liquid chromatography-electrospray ionization-mass spectrometry), 19 substances were identified in the isolated fractions, with a predominantly phenolic composition. Based on the efficiency of phenolic substances as antioxidants, an ability to eliminate the DPPH (2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl) radical was evaluated, verifying that 43.75 % of the inherited ones exhibited a high antioxidant potential, superior to kraft lignin and commercial antioxidant BHT (butylated hydroxytoluene).
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spelling doaj-art-a7fad5a7852b4d2b808f3e1dfd267dbd2025-08-20T03:13:18ZengElsevierHeliyon2405-84402025-02-01114e4278310.1016/j.heliyon.2025.e42783Catalytic degradation of kraft lignin to determine its antioxidant potential for industrial purposesSilvio Vaz, Jr.0Ana Elisa Barreto1Bruno Leite Sampaio2Brazilian Agricultural Research Corporation, Parque Estação Biológica, s/n, Av. Asa Norte, Brasília, CEP 70770-901, Brazil; Graduate Program in Biofuels, Institute of Chemistry, Federal University of Uberlândia, Av. João Naves de Ávila, 2121, Bairro Santa Mônica, Uberlândia, CEP 38400-902, Brazil; Corresponding author. Brazilian Agricultural Research Corporation, Parque Estação Biológica, s/n, Av. Asa Norte, Brasília, CEP 70770-901, Brazil.Brazilian Agricultural Research Corporation, Parque Estação Biológica, s/n, Av. Asa Norte, Brasília, CEP 70770-901, BrazilBrazilian Agricultural Research Corporation, Parque Estação Biológica, s/n, Av. Asa Norte, Brasília, CEP 70770-901, BrazilThe lignin fraction of the lignocellulosic biomass corresponds to 15–30 % wt. This is largely obtained as a by-product of wood pulping to produce cellulose and paper, with the kraft process being the most used by industry. The chemical composition of lignin makes an excellent raw material for obtaining various chemical compounds with industrial applications, such as phenolic resins, biofuels and fine chemical products. Furthermore, lignin has high potential as a raw material for sustainable additives for liquid fuels, due to its aromatic nature, since its alkylphenols can be used as antioxidants. The present work describes a process of catalytic conversion of kraft lignin into phenolic compounds with potential application as industrial antioxidant agents. The hydrogenolysis reactions were performed using methanol, ethanol, isopropanol or isopropanol: formic acid (1: 1 v/v) as organic solvents. For each solvent, four transition metal catalysts were tested (Pd/CaCO3, Pd/C, Ru/C and In). Through analyzing UHPLC-ESI-MS (ultra-high performance liquid chromatography-electrospray ionization-mass spectrometry), 19 substances were identified in the isolated fractions, with a predominantly phenolic composition. Based on the efficiency of phenolic substances as antioxidants, an ability to eliminate the DPPH (2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl) radical was evaluated, verifying that 43.75 % of the inherited ones exhibited a high antioxidant potential, superior to kraft lignin and commercial antioxidant BHT (butylated hydroxytoluene).http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2405844025011648Antioxidant activityGreen chemistryHeterogeneous catalysisLignocellulosic biomass
spellingShingle Silvio Vaz, Jr.
Ana Elisa Barreto
Bruno Leite Sampaio
Catalytic degradation of kraft lignin to determine its antioxidant potential for industrial purposes
Heliyon
Antioxidant activity
Green chemistry
Heterogeneous catalysis
Lignocellulosic biomass
title Catalytic degradation of kraft lignin to determine its antioxidant potential for industrial purposes
title_full Catalytic degradation of kraft lignin to determine its antioxidant potential for industrial purposes
title_fullStr Catalytic degradation of kraft lignin to determine its antioxidant potential for industrial purposes
title_full_unstemmed Catalytic degradation of kraft lignin to determine its antioxidant potential for industrial purposes
title_short Catalytic degradation of kraft lignin to determine its antioxidant potential for industrial purposes
title_sort catalytic degradation of kraft lignin to determine its antioxidant potential for industrial purposes
topic Antioxidant activity
Green chemistry
Heterogeneous catalysis
Lignocellulosic biomass
url http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2405844025011648
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