Antibacterial properties of wood structural components and extractives were investigated against methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) and Escherichia coli O157:H7 by placing bacterial inoculum on the model surfaces and incubating them for 2, 4, and 24 h. After incubation, the amount of viable bacteria on the surfaces was studied. The film coverage and thickness were evaluated with...

Chemical modification of eucalypt lignin was investigated during kraft pulping and chlorine-free bleaching by comparing milled wood lignin, kraft lignin, and pulp enzymatic residual lignins. The syringyl-to-guaiacyl ratio (S/G) from analytical pyrolysis slightly changed during pulping and bleaching (S/G, 3-4) but was higher in the kraft lignin. Semiquantitative heteronuclear single quantum corr...

By combining mild alkaline hydrolysis with quantitative 31P NMR we have been able to arrive at a protocol for determining the various ester linkages and their relative contributions to the overall structure of wheat straw lignin. Additional information on the identity and location of these bonds was sought by the application of GC/MS and two-dimensional 13C-1H heterocorrelation NMR experiments....

The structure of the isolated milled "wood" lignin from coconut coir has been characterized using different analytical methods, including Py-GC/MS, 2D NMR, DFRC, and thioacidolysis. The analyses demonstrated that it is a p-hydroxyphenyl-guaiacyl-syringyl (H-G-S) lignin, with a predominance of G units (S/G ratio 0.23) and considerable amounts of associated p-hydroxybenzoates. Two-dimensional NMR...

This paper describes our efforts focused at defining the formation of diphenylmethane moieties in lignin during conventional kraft and soda pulping conditions. This objective was realized by confirming, initially, the assignment of a P NMR signal as being due exclusively to the presence of phosphitylated diphenylmethane (DPM) phenolic hydroxyl groups. More specifically, softwood milled wood lig...

The structural characteristics of the lignins from flax (Linum usitatissimum) fibers and shives were studied. Significant differences in the content and composition of the lignin from both parts were observed. The lignin contents were 3.8% in the fibers and 29.0% in the shives. Analysis by Py-GC/MS indicated a H:G:S molar ratio of 13:72:15 in the milled wood lignin (MWL) isolated from flax fibe...

Soda lignin was divided into two fractions with different molecular weights by methanol extraction. Lignin amine was synthesized from the low-molecular-weight lignin fraction via Mannich reaction and was used for interfacial modification of poly-(vinylchloride) (PVC)/wood-flour composites. The PVC/wood-flour composites were prepared from surface-treated wood flour and PVC by melt compounding. T...

Purified manganese peroxidase (MnP) from the white-rot basidiomycete Phlebia radiata was found to convert in vitro milled pine wood (MPW) suspended in an aqueous reaction solution containing Tween 20, Mn(2+), Mn-chelating organic acid (malonate), and a hydrogen peroxide-generating system (glucose-glucose oxidase). The enzymatic attack resulted in the polymerization of lower-molecular-mass, solu...

Wood formation in trees is a dynamic process that is strongly affected by environmental factors. However, the impact of ozone on wood is poorly documented. The objective of this study was to assess the effects of ozone on wood formation by focusing on the two major wood components, cellulose and lignin, and analysing any anatomical modifications. Young hybrid poplars (Populus tremula × alba) we...