Lignin structure in Buxus sempervirens reaction wood

• Published in: Phytochemistry (Oxford) 1997, Vol.44 (1), p.35-39
• Main Authors: Baillères, Henri, Castan, Marielle, Monties, Bernard, Pollet, Brigitte, Lapierre, Catherine
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Biological and medical sciences; Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology; Physical agents; Plant physiology and development; Vegetative apparatus, growth and morphogenesis. Senescence
• ISSN: 0031-9422; 1873-3700
• DOI: 10.1016/S0031-9422(96)00499-2

The chemical structure of lignins in Buxus sempervirens wood samples showing a progressive grading from normal wood to reaction wood was investigated by thioacidolysis. The mechanical states of the various samples were assessed quantitatively by measuring the growth strains at the stem surface. Sample woods with the more pronounced compression character showed the highest lignin contents. Buxus lignins are composed of guaiacyl and syringyl units, similar to more evolved angiosperm lignins. The proportion of syringyl units, together with that of labile inter-unit ether bonds, was, however, lower in boxwood lignins than in poplar or birch lignins. More importantly, lignins in boxwood samples with a pronounced compressed character were found to have structural similarities with gymnosperm compression wood lignins, i.e. a higher content of carbon-carbon inter-unit bonds and of p-hydroxyphenyl units, compared with normal wood lignins.