Tuning the functional properties of lignocellulosic films by controlling the molecular and supramolecular structure of lignin

• DOI: 10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2021.03.081
• Publication Date: 2021-03-23T13:59:04Z
• Authors: E. Gerbin; G.N. Rivière; L. Foulon; Y.M. Frapart; B. Cottyn; M. Pernes; C. Marcuello; B. Godon; A. Gainvors-Claisse; D. Crônier; A. Majira; M. Österberg; B. Kurek; S. Baumberger; V. Aguié-Béghin
• Keywords: [CHIM.POLY] Chemical Sciences/Polymers; Staphylococcus aureus; [SDV.BIO]Life Sciences [q-bio]/Biotechnology; [SDV]Life Sciences [q-bio]; Microbial Sensitivity Tests; 02 engineering and technology; [SPI.MAT] Engineering Sciences [physics]/Materials; Microscopy, Atomic Force; Lignin; Antioxidants; [SPI.MAT]Engineering Sciences [physics]/Materials; Cellulose nanocomposite; Protobind 1000; Phenols; Suspensions; Spectroscopy, Fourier Transform Infrared; Escherichia coli; Antioxidant and antibacterial properties; ta1182; Water; Colloid lignin particles (CLP); Free Radical Scavengers; Phenoxy radicals; 540; Anti-Bacterial Agents; [CHIM.POLY]Chemical Sciences/Polymers; Intercellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins; Nanoparticles; Colloid lignin particles; Electron paramagnetic resonance; 0210 nano-technology

This study investigated the relationships between lignin molecular and supramolecular structures and their functional properties within cellulose-based solid matrix, used as a model biodegradable polymer carrier. Two types of derivatives corresponding to distinct structuration levels were prepared from a single technical lignin sample (PB1000): phenol-enriched oligomer fractions and colloidal nanoparticles (CLP). The raw lignin and its derivatives were formulated with cellulose nanocrystals or nanofibrils to prepare films by chemical oxidation or pressure-assisted filtration. The films were tested for their water and lignin retention capacities, radical scavenging capacity (RSC) and antimicrobial properties. A structural investigation was performed by infrared, electron paramagnetic resonance spectroscopy and microscopy. The composite morphology and performance were controlled by both the composition and structuration level of lignin. Phenol-enriched oligomers were the compounds most likely to interact with cellulose, leading to the smoothest film surface. Their RSC in film was 4- to 6-fold higher than that of the other samples. The organization in CLP led to the lowest RSC but showed capacity to trap and stabilize phenoxy radicals. All films were effective against S. aureus (gram negative) whatever the lignin structure. The results show the possibility to tune the performances of these composites by exploiting lignin multi-scale structure.