Development of quantification method for lignin content in woody biomass by Raman micro-spectroscopy

Raman microscope has been applied for the various studies on wood tissues because it can analyze without any pretreatments. In this study, therefore, we have applied Raman microscope to quantify the lignin contents of various wood tissues in various wood species. Lignin contents can be calculated from Raman spectra for each wood tissue by using calibration curve from standard samples. Lignin contents in various wood tissues coincide with the values obtained by conventional lignin quantification methods. Consequently, Raman microscopy, which is very simple without any pretreatments, is applicable and a powerful method to determine the lignin contents of wood tissues.