Lignin Essay

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Lignin
Lignin is the substance that makes plants “woody.” The name lignin originates from the Latin noun “lignum” that means “wood.” Most plants, but not all contain lignin. Lignin found within lignified plants differ in distribution among the parts of the plant, as well as different species of plants (Harkin1969). Lignin is the generic term for a large group of polymers. These polymers accumulate within secondarily thickened walls, making them rigid and resistant. Lignin evolved when plants began adapoting to terrestrial life. Lignin was needed to provide them with structural support that is needed for erect growth. Recent studies have shown the presence of lignin in the marine red alga, Calliarthron, which diverged from vascular plants more than one billion years ago (Vanholme et al. 2010). Lignin is a major component of the cell wall in vascular plants and provides support for plants to stand upright and enables the xylem to withstand negative pressure during water transport. Although lignin is significant for plant growth, this component can negatively affect humans. The presence of lignin limits access to cell wall polysaccharides and can affect humans by its use in livestock feed, lignocellulosic biofuel production, and paper manufacturing. Because of lignin’s significance in plant and human life, it is one of the most extensively studied subjects in biochemistry (Chapple and Li 2010).
When plants such as seaweeds or others that grow under water, their parts are supported on all sides by hydrostatic pressure. There is not much difference in the density between plant cells and their surrounding liquid environment. Aquatic plants do not require significant structural support; their cell walls only contain polysaccharides, c...

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...tes such as in ceramics and tire manufacturing are possible. Other uses of kraft lignin is for some of the foam within a fire extinguisher. Kraft lignin stabilizes the foam and is also used in printing inks for high-speed presses. Another use of kraft lignin is charcoal. The methoxyl groups in kraft lignin split off with sulfides to make methyl thiol, dimethyl sulfide, and dimethyl disulfide. Dimethyl disulfide can be oxidized to dimethyl sulfide used as a powerful organic solvent and chemical reagent. The other three sulfur composed compounds cause air pollution around kraft mills. However, if pure compounds are added to the combustible gasses, this provides a safeguard and detection of dangerous leak. This makes even air pollutants purposeful.
One day, scientists may be able to turn lignin from a troublesome to a treasure that is able to improve our environment.

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