Differences in biosyntheses of guaiacyl and syringyl lignins in woods

• DOI: 10.1007/bf00350993
• Publication Date: 2022-05-13T10:38:48Z
• Authors: T. Higuchi; M. Shimada; F. Nakatsubo; M. Tanahashi
• Keywords: Coniferyl alcohol; Propane

Metabolic differences in the formation of guaiacyl and syringyl lignins were explained in terms of the different functions of O-methyltransferases and reducing enzymes which participate in methylation and reduction of the hydroxycinnamic acid intermediates in the biosynthetic pathway of these two types of lignins. Sinapyl alcohol was dehydrogenated with peroxidase and H2O2 under various reaction conditions. Chemical properties of the dehydrogenation polymers (DHPs) formed were characterized, and the possible occurrence of syringyl lignin in hardwood was discussed. DHP and dimers of p-coumaryl alcohol were also characterized and discussed in relation to the formation of grass lignin which contains p-hydroxyphenyl propane as an additional lignin monomer.