Lignin is an amorphous polymer composed of phenylpropane units linked by carbon-carbon bonds and ether bonds, and it is the second largest biomass resource in plant kingdom after cellulose. As a typical biomass materials, lignin is one of the rare renewable resources in aromatic compounds.
Lignin is a biopolymer with three-dimensional network structure, which is composed of three phenylpropane units interconnected by ether bonds and carbon-carbon bonds. Lignin is rich in active groups such as aromatic ring structure, aliphatic and aromatic hydroxyl groups and quinone groups.
Lignin has amorphous disordered structure, and phenylpropane is its basic structural unit, which is derived from three kinds of aromatic alcohol precursors, namely β-coumarin, coniferyl alcohol and sinapine alcohol, corresponding to three kinds of lignin, namely hydroxyphenyl lignin, eugenol lignin and guaiacol lignin.
Lignin is a complex organic polymer, which forms an important structural material in the supporting tissues of vascular plants and some algae. Lignin is particularly important in the formation of cell walls, especially in wood and bark, because they give rigidity and are not easy to decay. Chemically, lignin is a cross-linked phenolic polymer.
The xylem of a plant (a structure responsible for transporting water and minerals) contains a lot of lignin, which makes the xylem maintain extremely high hardness to support the weight of the whole plant.
Lignin, as the second largest plant resource in biomass materials after cellulose, has an annual global output of about 50 million tons, including 10%~20% from agricultural waste residue and 20%~30% from forest biomass materials. It has a wide range of sources and huge output, and its efficacy and function are mainly reflected in the following aspects:
1. Nutritional supplement: Lignin is a kind of high-quality dietary fiber, which belongs to water-insoluble dietary fiber. It can increase satiety, help control weight, improve intestinal environment, promote intestinal peristalsis and help prevent constipation.
2. Anti-oxidation: Lignin is rich in phenolic compounds and has good anti-oxidation, which can scavenge free radicals in the body and help prevent many chronic diseases, such as cardiovascular disease and diabetes.
3. Prevention of diseases: The anti-inflammatory, anti-bacterial and anti-tumor activities of lignin have also been widely studied. For example, some studies show that lignin can inhibit the occurrence and development of various cancers, but this still needs more clinical research to confirm.
However, although lignin has various functions, it does not mean that it can replace drugs to treat diseases or is suitable for all people. For example, for some patients with gastrointestinal diseases, excessive intake of dietary fiber may lead to gastrointestinal discomfort. Therefore, when eating food rich in lignin or using lignin products, you need to take it in moderation according to your own physical condition and doctor's advice.
Generally speaking, lignin is an important plant component, and its multiple functions, such as nutritional supplement, antioxidant and disease prevention, make it have a wide application prospect in food, medicine and other fields. But at the same time, we also need to pay attention to the appropriateness and safety of its use.
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