Lignin nano/micro-particles from agricultural biomasses: Developing direct precipitation for integrated biorefinery

• Published in: Bioresource technology 2025-03, Vol.419, p.132025, Article 132025
• Main Authors: Ly, Tuyen B., Nguyen, Dat D.B., Trinh, Anh M.H., Tran, Nhi T.T., Truong, Thi H.M., Le, Kien A., Le, Ha V., Le, Phung K.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Biomass treatment; Black liquor; One-pot synthesis; Organosolv
• ISSN: 0960-8524; 1873-2976; 1873-2976
• DOI: 10.1016/j.biortech.2024.132025

[Display omitted] •Agricultural biomass lignin contains an even distribution of G, H and S groups.•Two main approaches for LMNP precipitation are solvent exchange and pH shifting.•Direct LMNPS precipitation can be achieved for an integrated biorefinery.•LMNPs from agricultural biomasses provide a wide variety of applications. The state-of-the-art, simple and scalable methods for lignin micro-/nano-particles recovery from agricultural biomasses were evaluated in this review. Being non-wood biomasses, these materials can be easily fibrillated, supporting the usage of mild soda or organic solvent pretreatment. Different approaches in particle recovery were compared to conclude that the bottom-up approach facilitates smaller particles towards the nano-size range whereas mechanical treatment can act as a supporting method to increase uniformity and reduce particle sizes after bottom-up precipitation. By combining with the pretreatment steps, direct one-pot lignin micro-/nano-particle recovery can be achieved using the lignin-containing black liquor or organosolv liquor. These lignin micro-/nano-particles can then be applied as high-value functional products in cosmetics, pharmaceuticals, environmental remediation, and energy sectors. The systematic evaluation of lignin micro-/nano-particles recovery from agricultural biomasses in this review can support the full utilization of these natural resources to aim towards a circular agriculture.