Extraction of lignin from Leucaena leucocephala pods by formic acid fractionation process

Lignocellulosic biomass has been acknowledged for potential use to produce chemicals and biomaterials. This part of plant composed of three components known as cellulose, hemicellulose and aromatic biopolymer of lignin. In plant, lignin fills the spaces in the cell wall between cellulose and hemicellulose. In this study, lignocellulosic samples of Leucaena leucocephala pod underwent fractionation process with 85% formic acid at ratio 10:1 of liquid to solid to extract lignin content. Different development stages of samples were categorized based on size of the seed at 4 mm, 5 mm, 6 mm, 7 mm, 8 mm, 9 mm, 10 mm and fully matured. The effect of treatment process with formic acid on structure of lignin was investigated by using Fourier transform infrared spectrometer (FTIR) and x-ray diffractometer (XRD). Based on structural analysis, lignin extract derived from this experiment showed similar characteristics with lignin obtained from other sources. The objective of this research work was to investigate the potential effect from development stage of Leucaena leucocephala pod on lignin yield and the effect of strong acid treatment (85% FA) on the structure of lignin. It was found that 10 mm samples yield the highest amount of lignin in through out the study.