Mass spectrometry‐based methods for the advanced characterization and structural analysis of lignin: A review

Lignin is currently one of the most promising biologically derived resources, due to its abundance and application in biofuels, materials and conversion to value aromatic chemicals. The need to better characterize and understand this complex biopolymer has led to the development of many different an...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Mass spectrometry reviews 2023-01, Vol.42 (1), p.144-188
Main Authors: Letourneau, Dane R., Volmer, Dietrich A.
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
analytical chemistry
Biofuels
Biopolymers
Chromatography
Gas chromatography
HRMS
Humans
Ionization
Ions
Lignin
Lignin - chemistry
Liquid chromatography
Mass spectrometry
Mass spectroscopy
Scientific imaging
Spectrometry, Mass, Matrix-Assisted Laser Desorption-Ionization - methods
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Summary:Lignin is currently one of the most promising biologically derived resources, due to its abundance and application in biofuels, materials and conversion to value aromatic chemicals. The need to better characterize and understand this complex biopolymer has led to the development of many different analytical approaches, several of which involve mass spectrometry and subsequent data analysis. This review surveys the most important analytical methods for lignin involving mass spectrometry, first looking at methods involving gas chromatography, liquid chromatography and then continuing with more contemporary methods such as matrix assisted laser desorption ionization and time‐of‐flight‐secondary ion mass spectrometry. Following that will be techniques that directly ionize lignin mixtures—without chromatographic separation—using softer atmospheric ionization techniques that leave the lignin oligomers intact. Finally, ultra‐high resolution mass analyzers such as FT‐ICR have enabled lignin analysis without major sample preparation and chromatography steps. Concurrent with an increase in the resolution of mass spectrometers, there have been a wealth of complementary data analyses and visualization methods that have allowed researchers to probe deeper into the “lignome” than ever before. These approaches extract trends such as compound series and even important analytical information about lignin substructures without performing lignin degradation either chemically or during MS analysis. These innovative methods are paving the way for a more comprehensive understanding of this important biopolymer, as we seek more sustainable solutions for our human species’ energy and materials needs.
ISSN:0277-7037
1098-2787
DOI:10.1002/mas.21716