title: Nondestructive, real-time determination and visualization of cellulose, hemicellulose and lignin by luminescent oligothiophenes.
abstract: Enabling technologies for efficient use of the bio-based feedstock are crucial to the replacement of oil-based products. We investigated the feasibility of luminescent conjugated oligothiophenes (LCOs) for non-destructive, rapid detection and quality assessment of lignocellulosic components in complex biomass matrices. A cationic pentameric oligothiophene denoted p-HTEA (pentamer hydrogen thiophene ethyl amine) showed unique binding affinities to cellulose, lignin, hemicelluloses, and cellulose nanofibrils in crystal, liquid and paper form. We exploited this finding using spectrofluorometric methods and fluorescence confocal laser scanning microscopy, for sensitive, simultaneous determination of the structural and compositional complexities of native lignocellulosic biomass. With exceptional photostability, p-HTEA is also demonstrated as a dynamic sensor for real-time monitoring of enzymatic cellulose degradation in cellulolysis. These results demonstrate the use of p-HTEA as a non-destructive tool for the determination of cellulose, hemicellulose and lignin in complex biomass matrices, thereby aiding in the optimization of biomass-converting technologies.
authors.affiliation: Swedish Medical Nanoscience Center, Department of Neuroscience, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, SE-171 77, Sweden.
authors.forename: Ferdinand X
authors.initials: FX
authors.lastname: Choong
authors.affiliation: Division of Chemistry, Department of Physics, Chemistry and Biology, Linköping University, Linköping, SE-581 83, Sweden.
authors.forename: Marcus
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Bäck
authors.affiliation: Swedish Medical Nanoscience Center, Department of Neuroscience, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, SE-171 77, Sweden.
authors.forename: Svava E
authors.initials: SE
authors.lastname: Steiner
authors.affiliation: Swedish Medical Nanoscience Center, Department of Neuroscience, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, SE-171 77, Sweden.
authors.forename: Keira
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Melican
authors.affiliation: Division of Chemistry, Department of Physics, Chemistry and Biology, Linköping University, Linköping, SE-581 83, Sweden.
authors.forename: K Peter R
authors.initials: KP
authors.lastname: Nilsson
authors.affiliation: Fiber and Polymer Technology, KTH Royal Institute of Technology, Stockholm, SE-100 44, Sweden.
authors.forename: Ulrica
authors.initials: U
authors.lastname: Edlund
authors.affiliation: Swedish Medical Nanoscience Center, Department of Neuroscience, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, SE-171 77, Sweden.
authors.forename: Agneta
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Richter-Dahlfors
mesh_terms: D018533:Biomass; D015374:Biosensing Techniques; D002482:Cellulose / Q000032:analysis*; D045424:Complex Mixtures / Q000737:chemistry*; D005240:Feasibility Studies; D008031:Lignin / Q000032:analysis*; D008163:Luminescent Measurements; D057139:Nanofibers; D011134:Polysaccharides / Q000032:analysis*; D013876:Thiophenes / Q000737:chemistry*
chemical_list: D045424:Complex Mixtures; D011134:Polysaccharides; D013876:Thiophenes; C007916:hemicellulose; D002482:Cellulose; D008031:Lignin