title: Pyrolysis/gas chromatography/mass spectrometry of lignocellulose.
abstract: The use of pyrolysis/gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (PY/GC/MS) to determine the molecular composition of lignocellulose is reviewed and the technique illustrated with applications on some novel systems. Constituents and structural arrangement of lignocellulosic polymers in plant cell wall are briefly described. The basic principles of pyrolysis and the main advantages and disadvantages of PY/GC/MS are discussed. PY/GC/MS analyses of (a) paper industry effluents, (b) agricultural by-products subjected to biological processes of delignification and (c) recycled paper are presented as examples of the amount of information that PY/GC/MS can provide on lignin classification and monitoring of delignification treatments as well as on the fingerprinting of lignocellulosic materials. The ion trap detector mass spectra of 56 pyrolysis products of lignocellulose, including compounds of phenolic, furanic and pyranic nature, are shown.
authors.affiliation: Centro di Studio per la Conservazione dei Foraggi, Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche, Bologna, Italy.
authors.forename: G C
authors.initials: GC
authors.lastname: Galletti
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Bocchini
mesh_terms: D002482:Cellulose / Q000737:chemistry*; D008401:Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry; D007221:Industry; D008031:Lignin / Q000737:chemistry*; D010209:Paper; D012722:Sewage / Q000032:analysis; D014874:Water Pollutants, Chemical
chemical_list: D012722:Sewage; D014874:Water Pollutants, Chemical; C036909:lignocellulose; D002482:Cellulose; D008031:Lignin