Development of derivatization-based LC-MS method for analysis of lignin components

Abstract

Lignin, a biopolymer found in plant cell walls, is a byproduct of various industries and holds potential as a renewable resource for valuable chemicals. This study focuses on developing an efficient method for analyzing phenolic compounds derived from lignin using high-performance liquid chromatography/tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS). The method involves derivating phenolic compounds with dansyl chloride, and, therefore, enhancing their detection sensitivity and selectivity. The research investigates the optimal conditions for derivatization, including the choice of base, derivatization reagent, and reaction parameters. The developed method can differentiate between phenolic and amine compounds by their distinct fragments m/z upon collision, ensuring accurate analysis in complex samples. The developed method is applied to a kraft lignin sample, putatively identifying several phenolic compounds. The findings contribute to lignin valorization efforts by providing a valuable tool for characterizing its phenolic composition.