Effect of herb lignin on the growth of enterobacteria

Abstract

Lignin, a natural polymer composed of phenylpropane units, is an agglutination element in the cell wall of vascular plants. These units are referred to as guaiacyl (a), syringyl (b), and p-hydroxyphenyl, (c) phenyl-propane units (Fig. 1). They are connected in three-dimensional space by C-C and C-O-C bonds. Softwood lignin consists of (a), hardwood lignin of (a) and (b), and herb lignin of (a), (b) and (c). Lignin is taken up as a "dietary fiber" when vegetables and fruits are consumed. It is thought that dietary fiber is useful for the prevention of some diseases (such as cancer) although most is excreted without being digested. To clarify the influence of dietary fiber on an organism, it is important to examine the relationship between the dietary fiber and enterobacteria. It has been reported that cellulose, hemicellulose, and pectin, components of dietary fiber other than lignin, are metabolized by enterobacteria (Van Soest, 1978). On the other hand, it has also been reported that ferulic acid, a model compound of lignin, is metabolized by Enterobacter and Escherichia (Grbić -Galić, 1986).

Chitin-Lignin Material as a Novel Matrix for Enzyme Immobilization

“…As a sorbent, lignin may be obtained chiefly as a waste product of the paper industry, and subjected to chemical modification to increase the number of functional groups [ 21 , 22 ]. It has also been reported that lignin has multifunctional barrier properties, protecting against harmful UV radiation, as well as antibacterial properties [ 23 ]. There are also promising possibilities for the use of lignin in the pharmaceutical industry and in medicine.…”