Provided are cost-effective methods and systems for producing a low molecular weight reactive lignin from a lignocellulosic biomass. The process is rapid and the reactive lignin is easily separated from carbohydrates and other components of the biomass at low cost. This clean lignin product has a very low molecular weight, good hydroxyl content, and low ash and sulfur, making it valuable to many applications.

Provided are cost-effective methods and systems for producing a low molecular weight reactive lignin from a lignocellulosic biomass. The process is rapid and the reactive lignin is easily separated from carbohydrates and other components of the biomass at low cost. This clean lignin product has a very low molecular weight, good hydroxyl content, and low ash and sulfur, making it valuable to many applications.

A process for making a potassium humate zinc sulfate compound, the process including: obtaining a plurality of fully-soluble potassium humate powder particles; obtaining a zinc sulfate compound; and mixing the plurality of potassium humate particles with the zinc sulfate compound, thereby forming a homogenized mixture, thereby forming a potassium humate zinc sulfate compound configured to be applied to a soil surface.

A process for making a potassium humate zinc sulfate compound, the process including: obtaining a plurality of fully-soluble potassium humate powder particles; obtaining a zinc sulfate compound; and mixing the plurality of potassium humate particles with the zinc sulfate compound, thereby forming a homogenized mixture, thereby forming a potassium humate zinc sulfate compound configured to be applied to a soil surface.

A method of completely dissolving lignocellulosic biomass. The method includes the steps of dissolving a sample of biomass in an aqueous solution of strong acid and an amine-thiol to yield a first solution. A method for measuring lignin concentration in biomass via absorbance of the first solution at a wavelength of about 283 nm by comparing the measured absorbance to a standard curve of absorbance values made from solutions of known lignin concentration.

A method of completely dissolving lignocellulosic biomass. The method includes the steps of dissolving a sample of biomass in an aqueous solution of strong acid and an amine-thiol to yield a first solution. A method for measuring lignin concentration in biomass via absorbance of the first solution at a wavelength of about 283 nm by comparing the measured absorbance to a standard curve of absorbance values made from solutions of known lignin concentration.

Described herein are devices and methods for the efficient and economic generation of lignin monomers from biomass. The provided devices and methods utilize reductive catalytic fractionation with an organic solvent to extract high-quality lignin from biomass and cleave specific lignin bonds to generate valuable lignin monomers with a relatively narrow product slate. Advantageously, the devices and methods described herein utilize solvent recycling, multiple solvolysis chambers with multiple biomass beds and/or physical agitation (e.g., use of a screw extruder) to reduce the amount of solvent required and increase economic efficiency and monomer yield.

Described herein are devices and methods for the efficient and economic generation of lignin monomers from biomass. The provided devices and methods utilize reductive catalytic fractionation with an organic solvent to extract high-quality lignin from biomass and cleave specific lignin bonds to generate valuable lignin monomers with a relatively narrow product slate. Advantageously, the devices and methods described herein utilize solvent recycling, multiple solvolysis chambers with multiple biomass beds and/or physical agitation (e.g., use of a screw extruder) to reduce the amount of solvent required and increase economic efficiency and monomer yield.

Disclosed herein are lignin valorization strategies that integrate thermochemical pretreatment strategies. Using methods disclosed herein, yields of greater than 40% of usable monomers are obtained from lignin in biomass. The monomers can be assimilated by strains of Pseudomonas putida.

Disclosed herein are lignin valorization strategies that integrate thermochemical pretreatment strategies. Using methods disclosed herein, yields of greater than 40% of usable monomers are obtained from lignin in biomass. The monomers can be assimilated by strains of Pseudomonas putida.