Antioxidant Properties of Lignin

Abstract

Since certain dietary antioxidants are generally thought to protect retinol from oxidation during digestion, lignin was tested for its antioxidant properties. Inclusion of l-lo% lignin in the rat diet resulted in an increased (SO-loo%) deposition of retinol as compared to cellulose-fed controls. Data indicate that lignin exhibits antioxidant properties in the presence of oil and probably in the presence of other fat-soluble substances (e.g. vitamins A and E). Animal experiments substantiate this hypothesis. Results suggest both the biochemical and chemical nature as well as the nutritional ramifications of these observations deserve further investigation.

Influence of the isolation procedure on the characteristics of fiber-rich products obtained from quince wastes

“…Lignin is responsible for the hydrophobic properties of the cell wall polymeric network, constituting the secondary cell wall (Brett and Waldron, 1996). It is physically associated to the cellulose framework (Besombes and Mazeau, 2005) and presents important antioxidant effects (Catignani and Carter, 1982;Vinardell et al, 2008). Total phenolic contents determined through Folin-Ciocalteau assay, were not significantly different among the fiber products obtained from quince wastes (Table 1).…”

Mechanism of Autoxidative Degradation of Cellulose

“…Despite these results, it has been shown that lignin exhibits an antioxidant effect in the presence of fat-soluble substances 44 and have been used to stabilize rubbers 4 ' 1 . The stabilizing effect of lignin on the thermal stability of papers has lately been observed by several authors 4 "· 47 · 48 · 40 ' 50 .…”

Structural characterization and antioxidant activity of lignin from sugarcane bagasse

“…Moreover, lignins have phenolic hydroxyl group that can act as a potential antioxidant in the food industry, preventing the loss of food flavor, color, and active vitamin content [10,11]. Kraft lignin from wood sources in pulp industry was reported to be as efficient as vitamin E to protect the oxidation of corn oil [12]. The monomers degraded from lignin and their derivatives afforded good antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antihypertensive, choleretic, antispasmodic properties, etc.…”