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Lignin from Agri-Food Wastes: From Chemistry/Biochemistry towards Its Industrial Applications

A special issue of International Journal of Molecular Sciences (ISSN 1422-0067). This special issue belongs to the section "Macromolecules".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (15 February 2024) | Viewed by 8920

Special Issue Editors

Dr. Carina A. E. Costa

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
1. LSRE-LCM—Laboratory of Separation and Reaction Engineering–Laboratory of Catalysis and Materials, Faculty of Engineering, University of Porto, 4200-465 Porto, Portugal
2. ALiCE—Associate Laboratory in Chemical Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, University of Porto, 4200-465 Porto, Portugal
Interests: biorefinery; lignin valorization; oxidation and characterization; phenolic monomers
Dr. Joana Oliveira

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
LAQV–REQUIMTE, Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Faculty of Science, University of Porto, 4169-007 Porto, Portugal
Interests: agri-food wastes; lignin; color stabilization; anthocyanins; food science
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Lignin is a complex and irregular phenolic macromolecule comprised of three basic units, p-hydroxyphenyl, guaiacyl, and syringyl, whose proportion is dependent on the plant source and species. During the polymerization process, different linkages are established between the monolignol units, with alkyl−aryl ether linkages being the most abundant with a great impact on lignin conversion. Phenolic and aliphatic hydroxyl and methoxyl groups are the primary functional groups in lignin structures and their diversity affects the reactivity and chemical properties of lignin. Several industrial methods have been developed to convert lignin directly into heat or electricity, bio-oil, or combustible biogas. Drug delivery vehicles, scaffolds for tissue engineering, materials for dressing wounds, and lignin-based nanoparticles and hydrogels are just a few examples of biomedical uses for lignin composites.

We invite researchers to contribute either original research or review articles focusing on, but not limited to, i) the chemical functionalization of lignin; ii) depolymerization approaches towards the synthesis of new building blocks; iii) biosynthetic pathways; iv) new applications for lignin fractions obtained from agri-food wastes; and v) bioactivity (enzymes inhibition, anti-proliferative, and anti-bacterial activities) and probiotics.

Dr. Carina A. E. Costa
Dr. Joana Oliveira
Guest Editors

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Keywords

  • lignin
  • chemical properties
  • structure
  • biosynthetic pathways
  • depolymerization
  • agri-food wastes
  • applications

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Published Papers (4 papers)

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Research

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17 pages, 1481 KiB  
Article
Sugarcane Light-Colored Lignin: A Renewable Resource for Sustainable Beauty
by Inês F. Mota, Filipa Antunes, Joana F. Fangueiro, Carina A. E. Costa, Alírio E. Rodrigues, Manuela E. Pintado and Patrícia S. Costa
Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2023, 24(21), 15941; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms242115941 - 3 Nov 2023
Viewed by 1379
Abstract
Lignin has emerged as a promising eco-friendly multifunctional ingredient for cosmetic applications, due to its ability to protect against ultraviolet radiation and its antioxidant and antimicrobial properties. However, its typical dark color and low water solubility limit its application in cosmetics. This study [...] Read more.
Lignin has emerged as a promising eco-friendly multifunctional ingredient for cosmetic applications, due to its ability to protect against ultraviolet radiation and its antioxidant and antimicrobial properties. However, its typical dark color and low water solubility limit its application in cosmetics. This study presents a simple process for obtaining light-colored lignin (LCLig) from sugarcane bagasse (SCB) alkaline black liquor, involving an oxidation treatment with hydrogen peroxide, followed by precipitation with sulfuric acid. The physico-chemical characterization, antioxidant and emulsifying potential of LCLig, and determination of its safety and stability in an oil-in-water emulsion were performed. A high-purity lignin (81.6%) with improved water solubility was obtained, as a result of the balance between the total aromatic phenolic units and the carboxylic acids. In addition, the antioxidant and emulsifying capacities of the obtained LCLig were demonstrated. The color reduction treatment did not compromise the safety of lignin for topical cosmetic applications. The emulsion was stable in terms of organoleptic properties (color, pH, and viscosity) and antioxidant activity over 3 months at 4, 25, and 40 °C. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Lignin from Agri-Food Wastes: From Chemistry/Biochemistry towards Its Industrial Applications)
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12 pages, 1549 KiB  
Article
Exoproteomic Study and Transcriptional Responses of Laccase and Ligninolytic Peroxidase Genes of White-Rot Fungus Trametes hirsuta LE-BIN 072 Grown in the Presence of Monolignol-Related Phenolic Compounds
by Konstantin V. Moiseenko, Olga A. Glazunova, Olga S. Savinova and Tatyana V. Fedorova
Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2023, 24(17), 13115; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms241713115 - 23 Aug 2023
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1124
Abstract
Being an abundant renewable source of aromatic compounds, lignin is an important component of future bio-based economy. Currently, biotechnological processing of lignin through low molecular weight compounds is one of the conceptually promising ways for its valorization. To obtain lignin fragments suitable for [...] Read more.
Being an abundant renewable source of aromatic compounds, lignin is an important component of future bio-based economy. Currently, biotechnological processing of lignin through low molecular weight compounds is one of the conceptually promising ways for its valorization. To obtain lignin fragments suitable for further inclusion into microbial metabolism, it is proposed to use a ligninolytic system of white-rot fungi, which mainly comprises laccases and peroxidases. However, laccase and peroxidase genes are almost always represented by many non-allelic copies that form multigene families within the genome of white-rot fungi, and the contributions of exact family members to the overall process of lignin degradation has not yet been determined. In this article, the response of the Trametes hirsuta LE-BIN 072 ligninolytic system to the presence of various monolignol-related phenolic compounds (veratryl alcohol, p-coumaric acid, vanillic acid, and syringic acid) in culture media was monitored at the level of gene transcription and protein secretion. By showing which isozymes contribute to the overall functioning of the ligninolytic system of the T. hirsuta LE-BIN 072, the data obtained in this study will greatly contribute to the possible application of this fungus and its ligninolytic enzymes in lignin depolymerization processes. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Lignin from Agri-Food Wastes: From Chemistry/Biochemistry towards Its Industrial Applications)
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14 pages, 3505 KiB  
Article
Water-Soluble Alkali Lignin as a Natural Radical Scavenger and Anticancer Alternative
by Donika Ivanova, Galina Nikolova, Yanka Karamalakova, Severina Semkova, Vania Marutsova and Zvezdelina Yaneva
Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2023, 24(16), 12705; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms241612705 - 11 Aug 2023
Cited by 3 | Viewed by 1968
Abstract
Several phytochemicals, which display antioxidant activity and inhibit cancer cell phenotypes, could be used for cancer treatment and prevention. Lignin, as a part of plant biomass, is the second most abundant natural biopolymer worldwide, and represents approximately 30% of the total organic carbon [...] Read more.
Several phytochemicals, which display antioxidant activity and inhibit cancer cell phenotypes, could be used for cancer treatment and prevention. Lignin, as a part of plant biomass, is the second most abundant natural biopolymer worldwide, and represents approximately 30% of the total organic carbon content of the biosphere. Historically, lignin-based products have been viewed as waste materials of limited industrial usefulness, but modern technologies highlight the applicability of lignin in a variety of industrial branches, including biomedicine. The aims of our preliminary study were to compare the antioxidant properties of water-soluble alkali lignin solutions, before and after UV-B irradiation, as well as to clarify their effect on colon cancer cell viability (Colon 26), applied at low (tolerable) concentrations. The results showed a high antioxidant capacity of lignin solutions, compared to a water-soluble control antioxidant standard (Trolox) and remarkable radical scavenging activity was observed after their UV-B irradiation. Diminishment of cell viability as well as inhibition of the proliferative activity of the colon cancer cell line with an increase in alkali lignin concentrations were observed. Our results confirmed that, due to its biodegradable and biocompatible nature, lignin could be a potential agent for cancer therapy, especially in nanomedicine as a drug delivery system. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Lignin from Agri-Food Wastes: From Chemistry/Biochemistry towards Its Industrial Applications)
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Review

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31 pages, 6453 KiB  
Review
Sustainable Biomass Lignin-Based Hydrogels: A Review on Properties, Formulation, and Biomedical Applications
by Chaymaa Hachimi Alaoui, Gildas Réthoré, Pierre Weiss and Ahmed Fatimi
Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2023, 24(17), 13493; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms241713493 - 30 Aug 2023
Cited by 19 | Viewed by 3822
Abstract
Different techniques have been developed to overcome the recalcitrant nature of lignocellulosic biomass and extract lignin biopolymer. Lignin has gained considerable interest owing to its attractive properties. These properties may be more beneficial when including lignin in the preparation of highly desired value-added [...] Read more.
Different techniques have been developed to overcome the recalcitrant nature of lignocellulosic biomass and extract lignin biopolymer. Lignin has gained considerable interest owing to its attractive properties. These properties may be more beneficial when including lignin in the preparation of highly desired value-added products, including hydrogels. Lignin biopolymer, as one of the three major components of lignocellulosic biomaterials, has attracted significant interest in the biomedical field due to its biocompatibility, biodegradability, and antioxidant and antimicrobial activities. Its valorization by developing new hydrogels has increased in recent years. Furthermore, lignin-based hydrogels have shown great potential for various biomedical applications, and their copolymerization with other polymers and biopolymers further expands their possibilities. In this regard, lignin-based hydrogels can be synthesized by a variety of methods, including but not limited to interpenetrating polymer networks and polymerization, crosslinking copolymerization, crosslinking grafted lignin and monomers, atom transfer radical polymerization, and reversible addition–fragmentation transfer polymerization. As an example, the crosslinking mechanism of lignin–chitosan–poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA) hydrogel involves active groups of lignin such as hydroxyl, carboxyl, and sulfonic groups that can form hydrogen bonds (with groups in the chemical structures of chitosan and/or PVA) and ionic bonds (with groups in the chemical structures of chitosan and/or PVA). The aim of this review paper is to provide a comprehensive overview of lignin-based hydrogels and their applications, focusing on the preparation and properties of lignin-based hydrogels and the biomedical applications of these hydrogels. In addition, we explore their potential in wound healing, drug delivery systems, and 3D bioprinting, showcasing the unique properties of lignin-based hydrogels that enable their successful utilization in these areas. Finally, we discuss future trends in the field and draw conclusions based on the findings presented. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Lignin from Agri-Food Wastes: From Chemistry/Biochemistry towards Its Industrial Applications)
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