Chemistry of Lignocellulose: Methods of Analysis and Consequences of Structure

Barton, F.E., II, 1988. Chemistry of lignocellulose: methods of analysis and consequences of structure. Anita. Feed Sci. Technol., 21: 279-286. Historically, the chemistry of lignocellulose has been the chemistry of the extraction, solvolysis, hydrolysis and analysis of cellulose and lignin from plant material. The analyses used to determine their relative content are empirical, i.e., the value of the cell wall preparation is defined by the conditions used rather than a molecular entity. As a result, there is great difficulty in comparing the results of analyses of one type of plant to another. This review looks at the ways in which cellulose, lignin and lignocellulose have been chemically isolated and determined and at some of the instrumental methods which can more completely characterize the plant cell wall.