Characterization of lignin in forest humus layers by high-performance liquid chromatography of cupric oxide oxidation products

Abstract

A rapid method is described to prepare samples, separate and quantify phenolic lignin degradation products obtained from the alkaline cupric oxide oxidation of forest humus layers. The whole sample is treated with CuO-NaOH at 170°C to produce simple lignin-derived phenols, which are extracted with a commercially-available disposable column system. The extracted phenolic compounds are separated by reverse-phase high-performance liquid chromatography, based on the differential polarity of benzoic acids, aldehydes and cinnamic acids. Results from the oxidation of gymnosperm and angiosperm litter are presented. © 1985.