Methods of and compositions for producing and using plant-based materials are provided. The methods include using biopolymers or their synthetic equivalents combined with a stable source of reactive oxygen species that when applied to or combined with a separate source of oxido-reducing enzyme or catalyst will cause the formation of an activated biopolymer with increased protein binding affinity and microbial control activities.

The invention relates to a method for producing a crosslinked lignin in particle form using a hydrothermal treatment of a liquid, which is made of black liquor, contains lignin and a crosslinker or a precursor thereof, and has an electrical activity ranging from more than 15 mS/cm, preferably more than 25 mS/cm, to 400 mS/cm, and to the crosslinked lignin produced using the aforementioned method. The invention additionally relates to crosslinked lignin particles which have a glass transition temperature Tg of at least 160° C. or no glass transition temperature and an STSA surface area of at least 10 m.sup.2/g and to rubber articles, in particular technical rubber articles or tires, which comprise crosslinked lignin particles as a filler.

The method is for separation of lignin from original black liquor (BL.sub.IN) that has a first precipitation stage (PR) for precipitation of lignin by a first acidification using acidifier AC.sub.1, preferably using CO.sub.2, at alkaline conditions, then separating a lignin cake with subsequent suspension of the lignin cake in a strong acid in order to leach our metals from the lignin followed by dewatering and obtaining a clean lignin product LP. The process further is improved by intensified hydrolysis of lignin cake such that most of the carbohydrates are broken down to dissolvable monomers that could be separated from the lignin in the filtrate from a filtering stage subsequent to the hydrolysis. The improved hydrolysis could reduce as much as 90% of the carbohydrate content using a moderately increased temperature and increased charge of acidifier while avoiding any larger lignin yield losses.

The method is for separation of lignin from original black liquor (BL.sub.IN) that has a first precipitation stage (PR) for precipitation of lignin by a first acidification using acidifier AC.sub.1, preferably using CO.sub.2, at alkaline conditions, then separating a lignin cake with subsequent suspension of the lignin cake in a strong acid in order to leach our metals from the lignin followed by dewatering and obtaining a clean lignin product LP. The process further is improved by intensified hydrolysis of lignin cake such that most of the carbohydrates are broken down to dissolvable monomers that could be separated from the lignin in the filtrate from a filtering stage subsequent to the hydrolysis. The improved hydrolysis could reduce as much as 90% of the carbohydrate content using a moderately increased temperature and increased charge of acidifier while avoiding any larger lignin yield losses.

The present disclosure relates, at least in part, to compositions comprising lignocellulosic biomass and an organic solvent wherein the lignocellulosic biomass comprises 35% or greater of lignin material. The present disclosure relates, at least in part, to compositions comprising lignocellulosic biomass and an organic solvent wherein the lignocellulosic biomass comprises 50% or less of carbohydrate. In certain embodiments the present compositions may have a viscosity of 5000 cps or less.

The present disclosure relates, at least in part, to compositions comprising lignocellulosic biomass and an organic solvent wherein the lignocellulosic biomass comprises 35% or greater of lignin material. The present disclosure relates, at least in part, to compositions comprising lignocellulosic biomass and an organic solvent wherein the lignocellulosic biomass comprises 50% or less of carbohydrate. In certain embodiments the present compositions may have a viscosity of 5000 cps or less.

The present invention provides for a method for dissolving and/or depolymerizing lignin comprising: (a) providing a composition comprising lignin, (b) contacting the composition with a strong hydrogen donor, such as a polyol, to form a first solution, (c) incubating the first solution at a temperature equal to or less than 100° C., whereby at least 20% by weight of the lignin is dissolved, (d) optionally introducing an oxidation agent to the first solution to form a second solution, wherein the temperature of the second solution is equal to or less than 100° C., whereby lignin is depolymerized, and (e) optionally introducing an anti-solvent to the second solution to precipitate the depolymerized lignin.

The present invention provides for a method for dissolving and/or depolymerizing lignin comprising: (a) providing a composition comprising lignin, (b) contacting the composition with a strong hydrogen donor, such as a polyol, to form a first solution, (c) incubating the first solution at a temperature equal to or less than 100° C., whereby at least 20% by weight of the lignin is dissolved, (d) optionally introducing an oxidation agent to the first solution to form a second solution, wherein the temperature of the second solution is equal to or less than 100° C., whereby lignin is depolymerized, and (e) optionally introducing an anti-solvent to the second solution to precipitate the depolymerized lignin.

Methods and compositions pertaining to flame retardants using micronized rice husks are disclosed.

Methods and compositions pertaining to flame retardants using micronized rice husks are disclosed.