definition
Lignin is an organic substance in wood that, with cellulose, forms the principal constituent of wood tissue[1].
DISCOVERY
It was discovered by the Swiss botanist Augustin Pyramus (or Pyrame) de Candolle. In his 1815 publication[2], he described lignin (called as “lignine” by him) in the following manner:
- A fibrous, tasteless substance which is insoluble in water and alcohol.
- Soluble in weak alkaline solutions and precipitated by acids.
- The basis of all woody bodies.
Here is a photograph[3] of pure lignin:
[ux_image_box img=”1004″ image_width=”50″ link=”https://www.biobasedpress.eu/2014/12/bio-aromatics/pure-lignin/” target=”_blank”]
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discoverer
Here is a portrait[4] of A. P. de Candolle:
[ux_image_box img=”1007″ image_width=”50″ link=”https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Augustin_Pyramus_de_Candolle” target=”_blank”]
1778-1841
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