ANALYSIS OF LIGNIN DEGRADATION PDRODUCTS BY CAPILLARY ELECTROPHORESIS

A method for the quantitative analysis of phenolic lignin degradation products by capillary electrophoresis (CE) with on-column UV detection has been developed. The liquid biomass solutions contain low molecula r hemicellulosic sugars and phenolic lignin degradation products with various degrees of polymerization. Special attention has been paid to the monomeric phenolic components of lignin degradation fragments, e.g . derivatives of phenolic acids, aldehydes, and alcohols. Uncoated fus ed silica capillaries and borate-phosphate buffer systems at moderate pH conditions were used in order to separate the compounds of interest . To provide validation of the method, the same samples were analyzed independently by HPLC using gradient elution on a RP-C18 column. As su gar degradation fragment, furan-2-carboxylic acid was detected.