earticle

영어

Kraft lignin is the major form of the lignin produced in the paper industry. The kraft lignin was degraded using thioacidolysis and by PAA (peracetic acid) produced by PFE (Pseudomonas fluorescens esterase). Both methods are known to selectively cleave β-aryl ether bonds in lignin. The degree of degradation was determined by comparing the molecular weight distribution before and after the treatment using SEC (size exclusion chromatography). The treatment with thioacidolysis and PFE decreased the molecular weight to 30% and 40% of the original kraft lignin, respectively. The thioacidolysistreated kraft lignin was further degraded by PFE, and SEC analysis showed that the molecular weight did not have a lot of changes, but the concomitant treatment showed that more lignin was degraded to much lower molecular weight products. These results suggest that the combinatorial treatment with thioacidolysis and PFE is an efficient method for the degradation of kraft lignin. Further investigation is required for the analysis of the small molecules produced by the degradation of kraft lignin.