Author
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Ralph, John |
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Submitted to: Gordon Research Conference Proceedings
Publication Type: Abstract Only Publication Acceptance Date: 8/20/2000 Publication Date: N/A Citation: N/A Interpretive Summary: Technical Abstract: Studies of lignin structure and reactivity have been re-energized by the emergence of modern technologies, and by exciting recent findings. NMR in particular has seen enormous advances that have provided some of the richest structural detail. The now common use of 2D and 3D NMR, using pulsed field gradients, inverse detection, and modern digital instruments allows ever more sensitive detection and, more importantly, diagnostic interpretation. Because it is now possible to reveal a given unit in the complex polymer in a diagnostic way, structures are being suggested directly from spectra of the polymer (although confirmation and authentication using model compounds remains crucial). New structures in lignin have been recently identified and new biosynthetic pathways suggested. Perturbing the lignin biosynthetic system by down-or up-regulating pathway enzymes is also revealing new aspects of normal lignification. |
