Abstract: Lignin polymers having distinctive properties, including a generally high molecular weight and generally homogeneous size distribution, as well as preservation of native reactive side groups, are isolated by solvent extraction of plant materials. Methods for isolation of lignin polymers, and for use of the isolated lignin polymers are disclosed. Compositions containing lignin isolated from plant materials, such as carbon fiber composites, resins, adhesive binders and coatings, polyurethane-based foams, rubbers and elastomers, plastics, films, paints, nutritional supplements, food and beverage additives are disclosed. Xylose and xylose derivatives, furfural, fermentable sugars, cellulose and hemi-cellulose products may be used directly or further processed. The lignin polymers and other plant-derived products disclosed herein may be produced in abundance at low cost, and may be used as substitutes for feedstocks originating from fossil fuel or petrochemical sources in the manufacture of various products.

Abstract: A method for producing chemically modified lignin decomposition products. To this end, a lignin-containing starting material is decomposed into low-molecular and high-molecular lignin decomposition products under acid conditions in the presence of a liquid medium, and the low-molecular lignin decomposition products are at least largely separated in order to obtain a high-molecular fraction. Subsequently, the high-molecular lignin decomposition products present in the high-molecular fraction are converted into chemically modified lignin decomposition products. The chemically modified lignin decomposition products obtained in this way can be used, for example, as dispersing agents, complexing agents, phenol component, flocculant, thickener or auxiliary agents for cementous systems, coatings, paints or adhesives.

Abstract: There is provided a process for recovery of lignin from a black liquor that contains either soluble or dispersed lignin, generating a “liquid lignin” at high yield. Soluble lignin at elevated pH is precipitated by reducing the pH of the black liquor stream by countercurrent reaction with carbon dioxide, at elevated temperature and pressure, creating two bulk fluid phases: a heavy lignin-rich phase and a light lignin-depleted phase. The heavy lignin-rich phase is separated and washed countercurrently with a strong acid to displace metal cations from the lignin, creating a low-salt lignin, which is then formed into a low-dust high-bulk-density lignin fuel pellet. If needed, especially for lignin recovered from kraft papermaking black-liquor streams, an oxidation step is included to eliminate negative odor for high-value green-chemistry applications.

Abstract: A lignin derivative is produced from a lignin with the empirical formula L(OH)z, where L is a lignin without hydroxyl groups, OH are free hydroxyl groups bonded to L, and z is 100% of the free hydroxyl groups bonded to L. The lignin derivative has free hydroxyl groups that are derivatized with divalent residues Rx and monovalent residues Ry that are bonded to L via an ester, ether, or urethane group. A shaped body comprising the lignin derivative can take the form of a fiber, e.g. as precursor fiber for the production of a carbon fiber. A carbon fiber can be produced from the above-mentioned precursor fiber.

Abstract: A method for treating lignin-containing fibrous material to reduce its susceptibility to yellowing generally includes enzymatically stabilizing the lignin of the material with an oxidizing agent capable of oxidizing phenolic or similar groups, which may undergo reactions conductive to the formation of colored sites on the fibers, and treating the material with a fluorescent whitening agent. Also disclosed are lignin-containing materials obtained by the method.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are compositions and methods that involve ionic liquids and biomass. In one aspect, the disclosure relates to ionic liquid systems for the processing of biomass, their components and/or derivatives, and mixtures thereof.

Abstract: A carbon-based solid acid which has high activity and high thermal stability and is useful as an acid catalyst for various reactions such as hydration of olefins. The carbon-based solid acid for use as a catalyst is obtained by carbonization and sulfonation of an organic substance, which has a reduction rate of 10 mol % or less of acid content as measured by immersing the solid acid in hot water at 120° C. for 2 hours, is used as the acid catalyst. The organic substance to be used as the raw material for preparing the solid acid is preferably a saccharide having ?1-4 glycosidic bond (e.g. cellulose) or lignin. Amylose is also suitable as the raw material. Examples of the reaction for which the solid catalyst can be used include hydration of olefins, etherification of olefins, and acid/alcohol esterification.

Abstract: An object of the present invention is to provide a technique for separation/collection of a lignin derivative which is useful for the separation of a lignin derivative having a 1,1-diphenylpropane unit and/or a unit derived from the 1,1-diphenylpropane unit from a mixture system containing the lignin derivative. In the Present invention, a lignin derivative having a 1,1-diphenylpropane unit and/or a unit derived from the 1,1-dipheylpropane unit is allowed to contact with a metal oxide in a liquid medium, thereby separating the lignin derivative in the form retained on the metal oxide.

Abstract: Provided are a fly attractant composition containing a ligninsulfonate as an active ingredient, and a fly expellant composition containing 5 to 20% by weight of a ligninsulfonate and at least 0.1% by weight but less than 5% by weight of an insecticidal active ingredient.

Abstract: A process for the extraction of sugars and/or lignin from lignocellulose-containing solid biomass is provided.

Abstract: A fractionation process for producing value-added products from a lignocellulosic biomass, comprises: a) mechanically refining the lignocellulosic biomass under mild refining conditions to form a refined biomass pulp with enhanced susceptibility to separation of hemicellulose, cellulose and lignin, and enhanced digestibility of carbohydrates in hydrolysis b) separating hemicellulose and sulfur-free high-quality lignin from cellulose in the refined biomass, and, optionally c) producing various bioproducts from the above said process.

Abstract: Methods of treating wood and wood products include irradiating untreated wood having a first molecular weight with ionizing radiation to cause an increase in the molecular weight of a cellulosic component of the wood to a second, relatively higher molecular weight.

Abstract: A method for pretreating plant starting material for the purpose of producing bioethanol and/or sugar via a common chamber (12), is characterized in that: —during one period, the plant material (MP), introduced into the common pretreatment chamber, is a lignocellulosic plant starting material, whose pretreatment is aimed at separating the cellulose, the hemicelluloses and the lignins so as to obtain a pretreated plant material that can be hydrolyzed and fermented for the production of bioethanol; —during another period, the plant material (MP), introduced into the common pretreatment chamber, is a sacchariferous plant starting material, whose pretreatment is aimed at extracting therefrom, by diffusion, a sugar juice for the production of sugar and/or of bioethanol.

Abstract: Methods and apparatuses for forming carbon nanostructures from a polymer mixture. The methods include the steps of mixing the pre-formed polymer with a liquid to form a polymer mixture, freezing the polymer mixture at an effective freezing rate greater than or equal to 103 Kelvin per second to form a polymer cast within the frozen liquid, separating the polymer cast from the frozen liquid by sublimating the frozen liquid, and carbonizing the polymer cast to form a carbon nanostructure. Variations of these methods are included in the scope of the invention and produce materials with varying properties. Through control of the freezing process, the nanomorphology of the resultant structure may be modulated. Nanostructures formed according to these methods are also claimed.

Abstract: An object of the present invention is to provide a technique for separation/collection of a lignin derivative which is useful for the separation of a lignin derivative having a 1,1-diphenylpropane unit and/or a unit derived from the 1,1-diphenylpropane unit from a mixture system containing the lignin derivative. In the Present invention, a lignin derivative having a 1,1-diphenylpropane unit and/or a unit derived from the 1,1-dipheylpropane unit is allowed to contact with a metal oxide in a liquid medium, thereby separating the lignin derivative in the form retained on the metal oxide.

Abstract: A novel sizing-adhesive composition for corrugating characterised in that it comprises at least one low molecular weight, water soluble polymer such as a maltodextrin, corrugating boards prepared therewith and methods of producing them.

Abstract: Methods of treating wood and wood products include irradiating untreated wood having a first molecular weight with ionizing radiation to cause an increase in the molecular weight of a cellulosic component of the wood to a second, relatively higher molecular weight.

Abstract: A process for dewatering biomass material comprising polysaccharide and water. The process comprises wetting the biomass material with a wetting composition comprising an alcohol to form a biomass slurry comprising wetted biomass material and a liquid component, mechanically separating a portion of the liquid component from the biomass slurry, and mechanically separating at least a portion of the water from the wetted biomass material. A process for extracting polysaccharide from the biomass material and a dewatered biomass material are also disclosed.

Abstract: The presently disclosed subject matter relates to processes that comprise the vacuum extrusion of plant materials. In some embodiments, the plant materials are subjected to a change in pressure of ?3 kPa or more. The vacuum extrusion can be used to break open the cell walls of the plant material and of any undesirable micro-organisms associated with the plant material. In some embodiments, the vacuum extrusion can be used as a step in a process for producing ethanol from plant materials, such as from sugar beets. In some embodiments, the vacuum extrusion can be used in a process for providing a desired plant cell-derived molecule, such as a sugar or starch.

Abstract: The invention relates to methods for treating pre-treated lignocellulose-containing material comprising the steps of: a) subjecting a slurry comprising pre-treated lignocellulose-containing material to agitation in the presence of one or more chemicals and/or one or more enzymes; b) subjecting said slurry to liquid-solid separation; c) recycling at least a portion of the liquid to the agitated slurry; d) optionally transferring solids-containing material for downstream processing.

Abstract: Described is an isolated lignified plant cell wall including lignin, wherein the lignin includes a ferulate residue incorporated therein, such as from coniferyl ferulate and/or sinapyl ferulate. Also described is a method to make the isolated lignified plant cell wall, and the lignin produced by the method.

Abstract: This invention relates to a hydrocarbon conversion process additive and related processes, such as upgrading a heavy hydrocarbon material and making sponge coke. The hydrocarbon conversion process additive works with thermal processes, catalytic processes, or thermal-catalytic processes. The hydrocarbon process conversion additive includes lignin or macromolecular substructures of lignin like para-coumaryl alcohol, coniferyl alcohol, or sinapyl alcohol.

Abstract: Methods of making esterified lignocellulosic materials and resulting compositions and articles are disclosed.

Abstract: This invention relates to a lignin sorbent, a lignin removal unit, a biorefinery, a process for removing lignin, a process for binding lignin, and a renewable material. The lignin sorbent includes a substrate, and a lignin binding material dispersed with respect to the substrate. The lignin binding process includes the step of adding a lignin binding material to an input stream, and the step of converting the input stream into a renewable material.

Abstract: The present invention provides derivatives of native lignin having a certain aliphatic hydroxyl content. Surprisingly, it has been found that consistent and predictable antioxidant activity may be provided by selecting for derivatives of native lignin having a certain aliphatic hydroxyl content.

Abstract: The present invention provides hardwood derivatives of native lignin having a certain aliphatic hydroxyl content. Surprisingly, it has been found that consistent and predictable antioxidant activity may be provided by selecting for derivatives of native lignin having a certain aliphatic hydroxyl content.

Abstract: The present invention provides softwood derivatives of native lignin having a certain aliphatic hydroxyl content. Surprisingly, it has been found that consistent and predictable antioxidant activity may be provided by selecting for derivatives of native lignin having a certain aliphatic hydroxyl content.

Abstract: The present invention provides derivatives of native lignin having a certain aliphatic hydroxyl content. Surprisingly, it has been found that consistent and predictable antioxidant activity may be provided by selecting for derivatives of native lignin having a certain aliphatic hydroxyl content.

Abstract: A method for compacting powdery compositions wherein the composition is compacted down to a reduced volume and the composition is then maintained at constant volume until the solid compact product is obtained.

Abstract: A more efficient and economical production/processing/utilization system for managing waste lignin produced in the manufacturing of cellulosic ethanol. The process is also more environmentally sound as the multiple uses of a single feedstock on and off site result in a direct reduction of life cycle green house gas emissions. The resulting benefits of this type of co-location will also speed the commercialization for cellulosic bio fuel and help reduce our dependence on foreign oil.

Abstract: The invention relates to functionalized lignin, rubber compositions which contain functionalized lignin and to products which have at least one component comprised of such rubber composition.

Abstract: Carbon-containing materials, such as biomass (e.g., plant biomass, animal biomass, and municipal waste biomass) or coal are processed to produce useful products, such as fuels. For example, systems are described that can use feedstock materials, such as cellulosic and/or lignocellulosic materials and/or starchy materials, to produce ethanol.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for fractionating a lignocellulose-based biomass are provided. The method includes providing a lignocellulose-based biomass, extracting lignin from the biomass by adding a first solvent capable of dissolving the lignin, extracting xylose by adding a second solvent capable of dissolving hemicellulose to the biomass treated with the first solvent, and extracting the cellulose remaining in the biomass. In this method, a continuous process can be performed instead of a low efficiency batch-type process and components of the biomass can be obtained at high yield.

Abstract: A method for fractionating a lignocellulosic material, the method comprising; contacting (2) the lignocellulosic material with an ionic liquid (3) and dissolving the lignocellulosic material therein, providing a second liquid (7) which is immiscible with the ionic liquid and is also a non-solvent for cellulose, adding the second liquid to the ionic liquid so as to form a biphasic system (6) which comprises an ionic liquid phase essentially free of lignocellulose and a second liquid phase comprising lignin in solution and cellulose as a precipitate, separating the two phases and recovering (8) the precipitated cellulose from the separated second liquid phase.

Abstract: A process for the production of a paper pulp, comprising preparing the pulp from a raw material derived from a plant of the Araceae family.

Abstract: There is disclosed a biomass-derived epoxy compound as an epoxidized product of a raw-material biomass-derived compound having a weight-average molecular weight of 300 to 10000. The biomass-derived epoxy compound has a weight-average molecular weight of 600 to 20000 and is soluble in an organic solvent for the preparation of a varnish. The epoxy compound is prepared by dissolving the raw-material biomass-derived compound in an aqueous alkali solution; adding epichlorohydrin to the solution and heating the mixture; and evaporating epichlorohydrin from the heated mixture and precipitating a biomass-derived epoxy compound, in which the aqueous alkali solution has a pH of 13.5 to 11.0. The biomass-derived epoxy compound has both high solubility in organic solvents and satisfactory heat resistance and can be manufactured in a high yield on the basis of the raw material through a less number of processes.

Abstract: Methods of and compositions for producing and using plant-based materials are provided. The methods include using biopolymers or their synthetic equivalents combined with a stable source of reactive oxygen species that when applied to or combined with a separate source of oxido-reducing enzyme or catalyst will cause the formation of an activated biopolymer with increased protein binding affinity and microbial control activities.

Abstract: The disclosure includes lignin mixed esters comprising first ester groups and second ester groups wherein the number of carbon atoms in the first ester group differs from the number of carbon atoms in the second ester group by 3 or more and processes of making the same. The unique thermal glass transition temperature properties of such lignin mixed esters are described.

Abstract: Method and equipment for production of fermentable saccharides, ethanol, furfural, furane, lignin, acetic acid and formic acid from lignocellulosic and amylaceous materials. The method comprises one-stage or two-stage continuous thermo-compressive hydrolysis of ligno-cellulosic particles, cellulase treatment of unreacted lignocellulose, amylase treatment of formed monosaccharides combined with added amylaceous materials, and fermentation of the combined processed monosaccharide solutions into ethanol. Side products furfural, methanol, acetic acid, formic acid and lignin are recovered and purified, optionally furfural is further converted to furan. An integrated process for recovery and recycling of all products and by-products, and recycling of heat energy is disclosed.

Abstract: The present invention provides a bio-fuel, wood or other product, such as a paper, textile or yarn product. The product can contain material from a transgenic plant over-expressing a nucleic acid molecule encoding an enzyme that causes the plant cell wall to be more water soluble than the wild type.

Abstract: The present invention provides a single pot process for the regioselective synthesis of neolignan framework [3(R)-Ethyl-2(S)-methyl-3-(2?,4?,5?-trimethoxyphenyl)-1-(2?,4?,5?-trimethoxyphenyl)propane from toxic ?-isomer rich asarone using montmorillonite acidic clay by employing microwave organic reaction enhancement (MORE) chemistry. This may be useful as versatile synthetic protocol for the synthesis of a large number of lignan and neolignan frameworks.

Abstract: The dispersant of the present invention comprises at least one component unit derived from kraft lignin and/or its salt and at least one component unit derived from at least one water-soluble monomer. The novel lignin derivative of the present invention comprises at least one component unit derived from kraft lignin and/or its salt, at least one polyoxyalkylene chain, and at least one anionic functional group.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for preparing glucose from a lignocellulose-comprising starting material, in which this is firstly treated with an ionic liquid and subsequently subjected to an enzymatic hydrolysis. The invention further relates to a process for preparing microbial metabolites, especially ethanol, in which the glucose obtained is additionally subjected to a fermentation.

Abstract: Novel modified lignin polymers containing anionic, cationic, and/or alkoxy substitution are disclosed. Further, new cleaning compositions including the novel substituted lignin polymers are disclosed. Methods of forming the modified lignin polymers and cleaning compositions are disclosed.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of pre-treatment of biomass, in order to improve the conversion of said biomass. The present invention also relates to a method of recovering chemicals used in said method. Further, the present invention relates to a method of converting pre-treated biomass into further products.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method using sulfite pretreatment to overcome recalcitrance of lignocellulose (SPORL). More specifically, it relates to a sulfite-based chemical process for pretreating biomass in solutions to reduce access barriers of enzymes to the lignocellulose, resulting in efficient conversion through enzymatic saccharification.

Abstract: An object of the present invention is to provide a technique for separation/collection of a lignin derivative which is useful for the separation of a lignin derivative having a 1,1-diphenylpropane unit and/or a unit derived from the 1,1-diphenylpropane unit from a mixture system containing the lignin derivative. In the Present invention, a lignin derivative having a 1,1-diphenylpropane unit and/or a unit derived from the 1,1-dipheylpropane unit is allowed to contact with a metal oxide in a liquid medium, thereby separating the lignin derivative in the form retained on the metal oxide.

Abstract: The invention herein is an efficient, flexible biomass fractionation process comprising digesting a lignocellulosic-biomass material at about 120-220° C. and a pH of less than about 4, in an aqueous mixture containing an effective concentration of at least one solvent for lignin, and separating to recover a solid phase that contains a large fraction of the cellulose originally in the starting lignocellulosic material and a liquid phase that contains most of the lignin and hemicellulose originally in the starting lignocellulosic biomass. The process can produce a solid phase that contains at least 75% cellulose and less than 10% lignin. The cellulose-rich solid product can be converted very efficiently to glucose. The solid product can also be used in commercial pulp applications, such as papermaking or fluff pulp. Hemicellulose sugars and lignin can be used directly or converted to other products.

Abstract: A method of treating biomass feed by pyrolyzing it in the presence of superheated steam at a selected temperature for a sufficient time to produce at least one product stream.

Abstract: A method is described for treating hypercholesterolemic atherosclerosis or for reducing total cholesterol while raising high-density lipoportoein cholesterol. It involves administering to a patient a substantially pure complex derived from flaxseed and containing secoisolariciresinol diglucoside (SDG), cinnamic acid glucosides and hydroxymethyl glutaric acid.