Development of biomimetic separation system for biomass conversion focusing on the cross-linked structure in lignocellulose

2021 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 16H06210
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Young Scientists (A)
• Allocation Type: Single-year Grants
• Research Field: Environmental agriculture(including landscape science)
• Research Institution: Kyoto University
• Principal Investigator: Nishimura Hiroshi 京都大学, 生存圏研究所, 助教 (50553989)
• Project Period (FY): 2016-04-01 – 2020-03-31
• Keywords: lignin / lignin-carbohyrate / hemicellulose / NMR / fingi

Outline of Final Research Achievements

Lignin and hemicellulose coexist on the plant cell wall to form the Lignin-Carbohydrate Complex (LCC). This research project aims to elucidate the molecular structure of the "cross-linked structure" of lignocellulosic and to develop a biomass separation method that "unravels" the three-dimensional network of lignocellulosic. Here, we successfully prepared a Lignin-Carbohydrate Complex (LCC) sample in high purity without denaturing. We have proved the covalent linkages between hemicellulose and lignin by analyzing the multidimensional NMR. Furthermore, we proposed a biomass conversion method under mild conditions.

Free Research Field

木質化学

Academic Significance and Societal Importance of the Research Achievements

リグニンはセルロースに次いで豊富に存在する有機資源であり、植物細胞壁を構成する主要成分である。リグニンの利活用はバイオマス全体利用の鍵を握る。リグノセルロースの多様な結び目構造を解き明かし、分子構造に基づいてバイオマス変換法を設計することが、植物基礎科学の発展と、植物資源を活かしたサステイナブル社会の実現につながる。